CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The chairperson of the City Council Committee on Transportation, Councilor Enrico Salcedo, said the committee will carefully study the planned operation of electric vehicles (EVs) in Northern Mindanao to ensure that the interests of traditional taxi operators and drivers are protected.
His statement came after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-10 confirmed that Green GSM is preparing to launch operations in Region 10. For local passengers asking Can you ride Region 10's new EV taxis? Here's what commuters need to know regarding current availability: while the company's electric vehicles have already arrived in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental, commercial trips cannot begin until all regulatory requirements are completed.Salvador City, Misamis Oriental, but commercial operations have yet to begin as the firm is still completing regulatory requirements.
According to LTFRB-10 Regional Director Aljo Bendijo, the company must first comply with all necessary regulatory requirements before it can start serving passengers.
Salcedo, yesterday, August 3, said the city government will thoroughly evaluate the proposal before making any recommendations.
"Ang ako lang ato nang estudyohan ug maayo kay kung atong i-recommend sad, maapektuhan ang traditional taxi," Salcedo said.
Despite his concerns, Salcedo acknowledged the benefits of electric vehicles, saying they are environmentally friendly and could offer lower transportation costs for commuters.
"Pero mao lagi, maapektuhan sad atong mga igsuon nga driver, mao na atong timbang-timbangon," he added.
Salcedo said the City Council's transportation committee will soon meet with LTFRB officials, EV operators, and representatives of the transport sector to discuss the planned rollout of the electric taxi service.
He also assured traditional taxi operators and drivers that once electric taxis begin operating in Cagayan de Oro, orientations will be conducted for stakeholders. He added that existing traditional taxi operators will be given priority should franchising opportunities become available.
