Cebu Government Weighs Electric Vehicle Taxi Rollout Amid Concerns

The Cebu Provincial Government held a stakeholders’ consultation on the proposed entry of electric vehicle (EV) taxis, as officials raised concerns over policy readiness and traffic planning.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro, who presided over the meeting, said the province must first assess whether EV taxis would ease or worsen traffic conditions.

“Kung makaayo ba ni sa probinsiya, especially considering grabe na kaayo atong traffic. Dili man pwede nga basta na lang nato i-impose,” Baricuatro said.

She stressed that innovation should not compromise public convenience or local transport stability, especially for long-time taxi operators.

The consultation included officials from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), EV operator Green & Smart Mobility (GSM), and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines–Cebu Chapter, led by Cordova Mayor Cesar “Didoy” Suan.

Provincial board members Nilo Seno, Julius Anthony “Oloy” Corominas, and Dr. Stanley Caminero, along with Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak, were also present.

The meeting came ahead of GSM’s Certificate of Public Convenience application, scheduled for an LTFRB hearing on January 15 at 10 a.m.

Taxi operators, including the United Cebu Taxi Operators Association (UCTOA), opposed the entry of EV taxis, citing potential disruption to existing operations.

The owner of Ken Taxi, in business for over three decades, said, “Thirty years na mi nag-operate pero lisod kaayo makakuha og prangkisa. Unfair kaayo,” questioning LTFRB processes.

UCTOA legal counsel Atty. Rey Gealon also flagged procedural concerns, noting GSM’s market entry despite an existing LTFRB circular.

Other operators from Richielda Taxi, King Spider Taxi, Airland Taxi Corporation, and Scorpion Taxi Corporation warned that the proposed 600 GSM units could worsen Metro Cebu traffic.

Provincial officials cited a 2019 JICA study showing Cebu City generates over 3.5 million trips daily, with congestion causing significant economic losses.

Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said, “If you want a long-term direction, you need a long-term plan. Dili lang ta magdugang og sakyanan.”

Board Member Stanley Caminero added that EV adoption should go hand in hand with reducing fossil-fuel vehicles.

Baricuatro directed the development of a comprehensive transport roadmap within the first quarter to guide future EV decisions. (SBA)