A group of taxi drivers in Cagayan de Oro City has opposed the planned entry of a major company that intends to operate electric vehicle taxis in the city.

The Cagayan de Oro First Taxi Drivers Alliance (CAFITADA) is set to file a petition before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Northern Mindanao (LTFBR-10) to stop the planned operation, saying there are issues they want clarified first.

“Kining langyaw nga korporasyon gikan sa Vietnam magpadagan dinhi sa dakbyan ug Region 10 ug mga sakynan nga wala gani mi makonsulta,” CAFITADA President, Bernie Jamaca, said.

CAFITADA said the company reportedly plans to deploy around 300 electric vehicle taxis, which they said could compete with the more than 2,000 registered taxis already operating in the city.

The group clarified that they are not against the use of electric vehicles and even support the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA).

They said they are already in talks with an electric vehicle provider to comply with the law and help promote more environment-friendly and modern transportation vehicles.

"Ang among panlantaw nga in about 2030, ang major sa mga taxi sa whole Philippines will be electric vehicle na gyud kay ang LTFRB ang support man sa EVIDA law, which tanan mga bag-ong franchise karon will be pure EV na gyud siya,” electric vehicle provider, Janus Sia Tan, said.

"Ngano ihatag pa man nimo sa langyaw nga naa man tay existing nga taxi organization, taxi cooperatives ug transport operators?” Jamaca added.

In a statement, LTFRB-10 said it respects the concerns raised by taxi drivers and operators in the city.

LTFRB-10 said it is studying the balanced implementation of the EVIDA law while also protecting the livelihood of existing transport operators.

LTFRB chairperson, Atty. Vigor Mendoza, is also set to meet with transport operators in the region to hear their concerns.