Northern Mindanao transport co-ops lobby for modernization funds

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Facing mounting financial pressures, united transport cooperatives across Northern Mindanao kicked off a series of urgent meetings with their congressional representatives Thursday to demand sustainable funding for the government’s public transport modernization program in the 2027 national budget.

Luzviminda Escobar, chairperson of the Northern Mindanao Federation of Transport Services Cooperative, said that while they have invested heavily in fleet modernization, they are now struggling with rising operating costs and significant financial obligations.

“We are asking for help to increase the budget for the public transport modernization program. This includes subsidies or sustainable help for loans for modern vehicles, sustainable assistance for fuel, assistance programs for cooperatives and corporations that have modernized their vehicles, and the implementation of the local public transport route plan,” Escobar told the Inquirer on Wednesday.

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The “Region X (10) Congressional Advocacy” campaign aims to explain the dire realities on the ground to lawmakers.

In its official position paper dated September 9, the federation said they are not asking the government to abandon the program.

“We are asking government to make modernization financially sustainable,” the document read. “We consolidated. We invested. We complied. We obtained financing. We committed our organizations to modernization. Modernization should not become a financial trap for those who responded to the government’s call,” it said.

The group noted that their personal presence is necessary to ensure lawmakers fully grasp the situation and push for their concerns during the upcoming 2027 budget deliberations.

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The congressional visits begin today with lawmakers from the 1st and 2nd Districts of Cagayan de Oro City, as well as the 1st and 2nd Districts of Misamis Oriental.

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The lobbying schedule continues on September 10 for lawmakers from Iligan City’s Lone District and Lanao del Norte’s 1st and 2nd Districts. On September 11, the federation will visit the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Districts of Misamis Occidental, concluding their campaign on September 14 with Bukidnon’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Districts.

The federation reiterated that adequate government support is vital not just to acquire modern units, but to maintain financially viable and reliable public transport operations for commuters across Northern Mindanao./coa