BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Benjamin Magalong has previously expressed opposition to the proposal to deploy additional taxi units in the city, saying the plan should undergo local consultations and should consider the city’s road and transportation constraints.
Instead, Magalong proposed reducing the number of taxis while increasing public transportation vehicles with higher capacity to ease congestion.
He cited data collected in the first four months of 2023 showing that taxis make up the largest share of vehicles on the city’s roads at 42 percent, followed by private vehicles at 31 percent, motorcycles at 16 percent, PUJs at 8 percent, and trucks and buses at 3 percent.
Magalong will recall that he criticized the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for its proposal to deploy 100 electric taxis in the city.
The proposal to deploy 100 full electric sedan taxis (e-Taxi) was submitted by Design Green and Smart Corporation through its subsidiary Romansa Mobility Land Transport Service.
The company is seeking the city government’s approval and endorsement from the LTFRB-CAR for the franchising and operation of e-taxis in the city.
According to Magalong, he will not allow the proposal in its current form, emphasizing that the city already has too many taxi units, and that while he prefers eTaxis in the city for environmental reasons, the permitting of additional units should follow a strict “one-in, one-out” policy to avoid worsening traffic congestion.
“I will never allow this,” noting that franchising decisions are made by the LTFRB central office without proper consultation with regional offices and local government units.”
He said the city government, which directly manages traffic conditions, should be involved in such decisions.
In response, LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza promised Magalong to immediately discuss the concerns with his team and expressed his willingness to arrange a courtesy meeting with city officials to plan specific measures.
In a message to Magalong, Vigor said the agency has not opened any new franchises, including taxis in the city since he took office in October 2025 and future decisions will be made only with the city’s endorsement.
“I assure you that we will not open any new franchise without consulting and obtaining your favorable endorsement,” Mendoza said in a text message to the mayor.
Magalong welcomed the assurance and urged the LTFRB to help re-examine the city’s Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) pointing out the need to use data-driven methods in determining the appropriate number of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) and routes.
