Several transport cooperatives in Northern Mindanao have threatened to go on strike if the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) will not be implemented.

During a gathering on Monday, March 25, 2025, transport service cooperatives urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to proceed with the PUVMP.

The group expressed its dismay over what they perceive as the government favoring the traditional jeepneys that failed to comply with the PUV consolidation.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Northern Mindanao (LTFRB-10) also issued a statement in support of the Northern Mindanao Federation of Transport Service Cooperative (NOMFEDTRASCO).

“Doon nag-ugat sa statement ng bago natin Secretary Dizon na gusto niya pag-aralan yung modernization dahil doon sa kagustuhan na walang maiwan sa ating programa. Dapat sa modernization na ‘to, walang maiwanan… gusto niya ipasok yung remaining 14 percent but hindi ibig sabihin na gustong i-suspended,” LTFRB-10 Director, Abosamen Matuan, said.

Matuan said around 86 percent of PUV units nationwide have been consolidated while the remaining 14 percent – mostly in the National Capital Region (NCR) – have yet to comply.

Matuan said the threat of the transport service cooperatives to go on strike may be a product of “emotional burst out.”

“Maaring nangangamba naman sila na baka magkaroon na naman ng another extension, which is sa tingin ko hindi mangyayari dahil sabi ko nga sa atin sa LTFRB we are firm na tama na ang extension,” Matuan added.

Representatives of transport service cooperatives across the Philippines have visited the Office of DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon for a dialogue.