𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐋 𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐒 𝐀𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 “𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐁𝐘𝐀𝐇𝐄” 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐃𝐎𝐓𝐫, 𝐋𝐓𝐅𝐑𝐁
After more than eight months of meetings, coordination, and planning, a program aimed at addressing the transportation challenges faced by Cebuano commuters is set to roll out soon following the formal signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among the Cebu Provincial Government, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
The signing ceremony, held at the Capitol-run Cebu South Bus Terminal on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, was attended by Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, DOTr Senior Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Atty. Mark Steven Pastor, and LTFRB Chairperson Atty. Vigor Mendoza II.
A first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, the Tabang Pangbyahe Program is funded by the DOTr and aims to incentivize bus operators in Cebu to serve underserved routes for the convenience of the commuting public. The DOTr has allocated P20 million for the program.
“Ang sabi po ng aming kalihim na si Secretary Banoy Lopez, those who have less in life must have more roads. This is what we’re trying to do here. Our priority is to ensure that commuters can travel from Point A to Point B at the time most convenient for them, with the assurance that public transportation will always be available,” Usec. Pastor said in his speech.
Under the program, passengers will only be allowed to board and alight at designated stops identified through a study conducted by the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO).
For the pilot implementation, two routes have been proposed.
The northern route, which will have a total of 132 designated bus stops, will run through Cebu City, Mandaue City, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, and Danao City, and vice versa.
Meanwhile, the southern route will have a total of 98 designated stops, starting from the Cebu South Bus Terminal and passing through Talisay City, Minglanilla, the City of Naga, San Fernando, and Carcar City, with its final stop at Simala in Sibonga, and vice versa.
Bus operators seeking to participate in the subsidy program must comply with the strict operational standards set by the Cebu Provincial Government. These include the installation of functional Global Positioning System (GPS) devices linked to an operational local command center for real-time monitoring, adherence to cleanliness and sanitation standards, the use of PWD-friendly low-floor buses, well-maintained air-conditioning systems, and compliance with the prescribed 60-passenger capacity and no-standing-passenger policy.
The LTFRB pointed out the significance of the program’s pilot implementation in Cebu Province, which has frequently been chosen as a site for national government projects and programs.
“We’re proud that this will start in Cebu. Although it is not intentional, many of our pilot projects begin here. Our experience in Cebu is that implementation is easier because the people are very cooperative, and the local government works closely with the national government. I believe that is the key to the success of any government transport planning initiative,” Atty. Mendoza said.
Gov. Baricuatro, meanwhile, thanked the national government for the initiative, which aims to improve the daily lives of commuters.
“Every Cebuano commuter deserves better. They deserve transportation that is safe, reliable, and efficient, with their daily commute becoming a pleasant experience rather than an ordeal they must endure every day. This agreement is our formal commitment to making that vision a reality. Through this partnership among the national government, the Province of Cebu, and our local stakeholders, we are taking a unified step toward more efficient and accessible transport services across Metro Cebu and, eventually, throughout the entire province,” the governor said.
During the same ceremony, Governor Baricuatro and the other officials unveiled a commemorative marker to signify the initiative, which is expected to benefit millions of Cebuano commuters across Metro Cebu.
Once the funds are released to the provincial government, eligible bus operators may begin processing their applications to participate in the service contracting program (COS). /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝒀𝑱𝑩, 𝑨𝑹𝑱
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