Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Central Visayas (LTFRB 7) Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. has been relieved of his post, effective December 18, 2025.
The development was confirmed on Friday as the regional office remains under public scrutiny over the planned rollout of electric taxis in Cebu.
In a phone interview on Friday, December 19, Montealto said his relief was part of the normal chain of command and leadership rotation within the Department of Transportation (DOTr), stressing that the decision was not politically motivated.
“Bisan kami wala gyud mi nag-expect. Pero ako na-anticipate na gyud na nako kay dugay naman gyud kaayo ko as regional director,” Montealto said.
“Wala gyud tay hinungdan nga political. Sakto rapod na nga move sa board sa DOTr kay dapat naa napoy ma-promote,” he added.
Montealto served as LTFRB 7 regional director for seven years and previously spent a year in Region 9. He said leadership rotation is standard practice in government service.
“Normal ra gyud nga dunay rotation, dunay bag-o nga regional director. Karon OIC pa na siya ang gibutang,” he said, adding that the agency strictly follows the chain of command.
His relief comes days after LTFRB 7 faced mounting criticism over the planned deployment of around 600 electric taxi units in Cebu, a program opposed by taxi operators and questioned by the provincial government over congestion, licensing, and fairness.
Earlier this week, Montealto said the EV taxi rollout would proceed unless the LTFRB central office issued a directive to suspend it, noting that regional offices are bound to implement national policies.
“Ang region mosunod ra man sa mandate sa national,” he said, adding that failure to comply with central office directives could amount to neglect of duty.
Montealto said he found himself in the middle of opposing views, acknowledging the concerns of existing taxi operators while also implementing the government’s push for cleaner and more sustainable transport under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA).
“Sakto man sad to ang giingon sa mga existing operators nga if mapun-an sila maglisod sila,” he said.
“So gibalanse nato nga naa tay bag-o nga unit kay ang tumong ana man gud is pollution and dependence sa fuel,” he added.
He added that operators were being encouraged to gradually shift to electric vehicles, suggesting that even a small portion of their fleet—around 5 percent—could be converted over time.
Montealto also denied any wrongdoing during his tenure, stressing that integrity guided his service at LTFRB 7.
“Basta wala gyud tay corruption. Wala gyud ta ana. Zero gyud ta ana,” he said.
Opposition to the EV taxi program has been led by the United Cebu Taxi Operators Association Inc. (UCTOAI), which earlier said the entry of 600 new units could worsen traffic congestion and threaten the livelihood of existing drivers.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro has also opposed the provisional authority granted to the electric taxi units, saying the issue lies in licensing and fairness rather than EV technology itself.
Montealto said both the operators’ opposition and the governor’s position were formally received and elevated to the LTFRB central office for consideration.
“Kung naay directive sa Central Office nga i-hold sa, sundon gyud na,” he said.
For now, the EV taxi rollout in Cebu remains in effect, pending any contrary order from the LTFRB central office. Montealto said the program is national in scope and has already been implemented in other major urban areas.
“Kining electric nationwide man ni siya. Nauna lang ang Cebu and Davao,” he said.
The LTFRB has yet to announce who will permanently replace Montealto as regional director, with an officer-in-charge currently overseeing LTFRB 7 operations. (LLP)
