Governor Pamela Baricuatro is against the provisional authority granted to a firm that would operate at least 600 electric vehicle (EV) taxicab units in the Province of Cebu. 

“I, vehemently oppose the provisional authority granted to Green & Smart Mobility that allows the deployment of 600 EV taxi units to operate in Cebu Province,” Baricuatro said in her post on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. 

Baricuatro cited that the issue is “not environmental nor the EV technology itself.”

“The core problem lies with the license to operate. Issuing operating licenses under provisional authority, under these circumstances, risks unfairly displacing our current taxi operators who have complied with the rules, paid dues, and trusted the system to deliver orderly, safe service,” the governor said. 

Here are other key concerns she cited: 

• License vs. supplier model: Why should these international entities be given operator licenses when their role could be as suppliers or fleet add-ons rather than as licensed operators responsible for data, safety, labor standards, and route planning?
• Impact on existing operators: This move could sideline established taxi drivers and fleets, threatening livelihoods and the stability of our transportation ecosystem.
• Traffic and road safety: Cebu’s traffic is already challenging. Adding 600 new vehicles, even if EV, without robust traffic management, could worsen congestion, parking, and safety conditions for all road users.
• Regulatory clarity: We must ensure transparent, enforceable licensing, clear accountability, fair competition, and a verified plan for maintenance, insurance, and rider protections."

Baricuatro, in a post on her social media account, pointed out that she seeks to achieve "thorough, public, and data-driven review of the provisional licenses before any deployment; a licensing framework that favors fair competition, protects existing operators, and upholds rider safety and service quality; a transition plan that integrates new EV options without harming livelihoods or worsening traffic conditions; engage stakeholders - current taxi associations, EV operators, commuters, urban planners, and traffic management authorities in an open dialogue."

“I urge Green & Smart Mobility to participate in a constructive review process and for the administration to prioritize transparency, accountability, and the long-term welfare of Cebu’s people and economy. We owe our drivers, riders, and communities a transportation system that is safe, fair, and sustainable. I remain committed to rigorous oversight and to taking bold, thoughtful steps that put residents first,” Baricuatro underscored. 

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has reportedly granted provisional authority to at least 600 EV units to operate in the Province of Cebu.

To recall, Republic Act 11697 also known as the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, explores the concept of “green routes.” 

Green routes refer to public transportation routes identified and designated in the Local Public Transport Route Plans (LPTRP) and Route Rationalization Plans (RRPs). 

Green routes, approved by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the LTFRB are exclusively for electric public utility vehicles (PUVs).

“Several areas in the Philippines have piloted or implemented green routes, including Makati City, Cebu City, Baguio City, and Davao City,” a post of the Philippine National Oil Company, a government-owned-and-controlled corporation, on January 27, 2025 reads.