𝐆𝐎𝐕. 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐔𝐀𝐓𝐑𝐎 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝐄𝐕 𝐓𝐀𝐗𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐑𝐎 𝐂𝐄𝐁𝐔
The Cebu Provincial Government convened a stakeholders’ consultation on Jan. 5 to discuss the viability of introducing 600 electric vehicle (EV) taxis in Metro Cebu.
Held at the Capitol Social Hall, the consultation was led by Gov. Pamela Baricuatro and Provincial Board members. It brought together key figures including Cordova Mayor and LMP Cebu President Cesar Suan, LTFRB-7 Officer-in-Charge Eugenio Ibo Jr., and representatives of the United Cebu Taxi Operators Association (UCTOA), alongside traffic and legal officials from Cebu, Talisay, and Lapu-Lapu cities.
𝐆𝐨𝐯. 𝐏𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲
Gov. Baricuatro emphasized her neutral stance, saying she is “not siding with any group.” She stressed that a public consultation should have preceded a policy direction of this magnitude.
The governor said she would carefully consider the input and recommendations of all stakeholders and would hold separate follow-up meetings with each group.
In August last year, Gov. Baricuatro signed Executive Order No. 43, creating the Cebu Transport Plan Council (CTPC).
With the aim of accelerating the modernization of Cebu’s transport system, the council will serve as the province’s policy-making and coordinating body to ensure a safe, efficient, reliable, and environmentally sustainable transport system.
The inputs from this public consultation and future meetings with stakeholders will greatly contribute to the policy direction to be implemented by the CTPC, which aims to establish, among others, a central coordinating body for route planning and traffic management across Cebu.
At the center of the discussion was the LTFRB’s move to grant franchises for 600 EV taxis to Green & Smart Mobility (GSM), an electric ride-hailing service under Vietnam-based Green and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company.
The LTFRB even issued GSM a provisional authority to operate while its franchise application was still being processed.
The rollout of the EV taxis, however, was put on hold by GSM in deference to the concerns raised by Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, pending the conduct of a public consultation on the matter.
UCTOA, through counsel Atty. Rey Gealon, presented a formal opposition to GSM’s franchise, anchored on three main grounds:
1. The entry of 600 EV taxis would adversely affect the viability of existing taxi operators.
2. The lack of opportunity for long-time operators to transition to EVs themselves, despite having the capacity to do so.
3. The risk of worsening Metro Cebu’s traffic without a proper traffic impact assessment.
𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬’ 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬
Taxi operators also had the opportunity to air their frustrations during the meeting.
“It took us so long to get those 600 franchises, but for GSM, it is just so quick,” said Jaycel Sato, operator of Ken Taxi, whose company has been in the business for more than 30 years and has gradually built its fleet to 600 units.
GSM, through its counsel Atty. Manuel Gordon, denied receiving preferential treatment, saying the company met all technical, financial, and legal requirements.
“The wisdom of a franchise is public convenience and necessity,” Gordon said. “We are not your competition, but we are here to fill in the gaps.”
LTFRB-7 OIC Ibo reiterated the agency’s impartiality, confirming a public hearing on the matter is scheduled later this month. He stressed that EV franchises are open to all applicants who can comply with the requirements.
During the consultation, some officials raised the possibility of GSM selling or transferring EV units to existing taxi operators to avoid direct competition.
Operators were also encouraged to begin transitioning to EVs in compliance with the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (RA No. 11697), which mandates that at least five percent of public transport fleets be electric. /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑭𝑬
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