The Cebu Provincial Government is advancing a major plan to improve local travel. Officials are now seeking approval for Governor Pamela Baricuatro to sign a deal launching the “Tabang Pambiyahe” program, a first-of-its-kind transport initiative in the Philippines.
Program Details and Timeline
Targeted to launch before May 15, 2026, the program aims to transform public transport in the province. Instead of the traditional “boundary system,” where drivers struggle to maximize passengers, this new model will provide subsidies to operators based on service quality.
Elizar Sabinay Jr. from the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) explained that the provincial board must pass a resolution before the deal becomes official. This step is necessary to finalize the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the project.
Delays and Regulatory Hurdles
While the province hoped to start sooner, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) requested the inclusion of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in the agreement. “Crucial are the rules of LTFRB, so when the MOA was returned, it needed to undergo legal review again. That is why it is taking time,” Sabinay said.
Data-Driven Bus Stops
To ensure the program's success, officials are meeting with mayors across Metro Cebu to select optimal bus stop locations. They are using data from a survey conducted on March 30 and 31, rather than relying on outdated stops. Sabinay noted that many old bus stops were created 10 years ago and are unsuitable for modern commuters. “With the development now, it could change the entire scenario. If you put a mall somewhere, it changes the entire scenario,” he said. Buses will only be allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at these new, validated locations.
Not a Free Ride Program
Officials emphasize that this is not a “Libreng Sakay” (Free Ride) program. Although it uses a P20 million fund from the DOTr, it is a specific service contracting model designed to make transport more reliable, not free. “This is not free. Libreng sakay is not even the current service contracting of LTFRB. It is different,” Sabinay stressed. Interestingly, the program is also expected to benefit the growing number of habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) drivers by organizing the overall flow of traffic and transport.
A First for the Philippines
Cebu is making history as the first local government unit in the country to implement its own service contracting program. By shifting the focus to service quality rather than passenger volume, the province hopes to make daily commuting safer and more efficient for every Cebuano.
