CEBU. The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) has taken a proactive step to address concerns surrounding the rollout of electric taxi services in Metro Cebu. In a move aimed at ensuring transparency and regulatory compliance, the Board is extending invitations to key officials from Vietnam-based Green and Smart Mobility (GSM) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas (LTFRB 7). This action follows the granting of a temporary permit for GSM's electric taxi operations, which has sparked questions about the approval process and its implications for local transportation.
Board Member Calls for Clarification on Electric Taxi Operations
During the PB's regular session held on Monday, February 2, 2026, Board Member Nilo Seno of Mandaue City, who also serves as a member of the Committee on Traffic and Transportation, raised an incidental motion. He proposed that both GSM and LTFRB 7 officials be invited to attend the Board's upcoming session scheduled for Monday, February 9. Seno emphasized that the committee on transportation has not received any formal communication from either party regarding a meeting that took place on January 15. This meeting was crucial as it addressed GSM's request for provisional authority to operate their electric taxis in the region.
Seeking Details on Provisional Authority and Approval Basis
The Board's primary objective in issuing these invitations is to seek clarification on several key aspects of the electric taxi rollout. Members are particularly interested in understanding the detailed approval process that led to the granting of the temporary permit. Additionally, they aim to ascertain the specific basis upon which this provisional authority was awarded to GSM. This inquiry underscores the Board's commitment to upholding regulatory standards and ensuring that all transportation operations in Metro Cebu adhere to established guidelines and procedures.
LTFRB 7 Director Provides Insights on GSM's Operational Status
In a related development, a report from SunStar Cebu on Friday, January 30, shed light on the current status of GSM's operations. According to LTFRB 7 Director Eugenio Ibo, the hearing involving local taxi operators and GSM has been forwarded to the LTFRB Central Office for further review and consideration. Ibo also clarified that GSM is currently operating under a 90-day probationary authority. This temporary arrangement is in place while the company's application for a Certificate of Public Convenience remains under thorough evaluation by the regulatory body.
The situation highlights the evolving landscape of public transportation in Cebu, with electric vehicles gaining traction as a sustainable alternative. As the Provincial Board seeks to balance innovation with regulatory oversight, the upcoming session promises to provide valuable insights into the future of electric mobility in the region.
