CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has strongly opposed the provisional authority granted to Green & Smart Mobility, which plans to deploy 600 electric vehicle (EV) taxi units in Cebu Province.
In her official Facebook post, Baricuatro clarified that her objection is not against EV technology or environmental initiatives, but against the manner in which operating licenses were issued under a provisional authority.
She warned that allowing international entities to operate under provisional permits will pose a risk to local taxi operators who have long complied with regulatory requirements, paid fees, and relied on an orderly transport system.
One of her key concerns is the licensing model itself. Baricuatro questioned why foreign companies are being granted operator licenses instead of being limited to supplier or fleet partner roles. “The core issue is the license to operate,” Baricuatro stressed.
She argued that licensed operators must be fully accountable for data management, safety standards, labor conditions, and route planning—responsibilities that should not be bypassed.
The governor also raised alarm over the possible impact on existing taxi drivers and operators, saying the influx of 600 new units could threaten livelihoods and destabilize Cebu’s transport ecosystem.
Traffic congestion and road safety were also highlighted as major issues, noting that Cebu’s roads are already heavily burdened.
Baricuatro said that adding hundreds of new vehicles, even if electric, without a comprehensive traffic management plan, could worsen congestion, parking problems, and safety risks.
According to the governor, any transport expansion must include verified plans for vehicle maintenance, insurance coverage, and rider protection.
Baricuatro said she is pushing for a thorough, public, and data-driven review of the provisional licenses before any EV taxi deployment proceeds.
She also called for a licensing framework that protects existing operators while ensuring passenger safety and service quality.
A transition plan, she said, is necessary to integrate EVs into the transport system without harming livelihoods or aggravating traffic conditions.
The governor urged open dialogue among stakeholders, including taxi associations, EV operators, commuters, urban planners, and traffic authorities. “I remain committed to rigorous oversight and to taking bold, thoughtful steps that put residents first,” Baricuatro said.
Her statement follows the issuance of a provisional authority by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to Green & Smart Mobility.
According to a previous report from The Freeman, LTFRB Chairman Vigor D. Mendoza II granted the company authority to operate 600 air-conditioned EV taxi units while its application for a regular franchise remains under evaluation.
The undated LTFRB order states that the provisional authority was granted pending the adjudication of the company’s application for a Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC).
The order was signed by Mendoza, Board Members Engr. Isagani Victorio and Atty. Greg Pua Jr., and attested by Executive Director Loumer Bernabe.
Under the permit, Green & Smart Mobility is authorized to operate taxi services from Cebu City to any point in Region 7.
The LTFRB stressed that the provisional authority is subject to strict compliance with all transport regulations, national laws, and local ordinances. It also emphasized that the permit is without prejudice to the final resolution of the company’s CPC application.
Meanwhile, opposition to the policy has grown among local taxi operators.
In another related article, the United Cebu Taxi Operators Association (UCTOA) has appealed directly to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to halt the implementation of LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 050, Series of 2025.
The circular opens additional taxi slots for EVs in major metropolitan areas, including Metro Cebu, effective December 3, 2025.
UCTOA chairman Richard Cabucos warned that Cebu’s taxi market is already saturated.
“If this policy is not stopped, it will surely lead to the demise of the taxi industry in Cebu,” Cabucos said, adding that drivers and operators are already struggling to survive.
| Written by Jonnavie Villa
