ILOILO City – Iloilo’s transport scene is set for a major shake-up. After 100 newly authorized blue taxis begin operations soon, the city and province may see another innovation — the proposed “green taxis”, or electric-powered cabs, under the group Green GSM.
“Halin sa Central Office sang LTFRB, gin-forward sa amon, kag gin-endorse sa amon for evaluation and recommendation… isa ka taxi operator gapangayo tagaan sang slot sang taxi diri sa Iloilo with the use of electric vehicles. So green ila color,” said Atty. Salvador Altura Jr., legal counsel of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 6.
He added: “Ipabalo naton si Mayor (Raisa Treñas) kag sa Land Transportation Office nga may amo na nga gin-endorse sa aton nga application para makuhaan namon sila komentar nga ma-integrate namon sa amon recommendation nga ibalik sa Central Office,” he added.
“We will meet with the Iloilo City LGU regarding green taxi if requested,” Altura added.
As for the blue taxis, Altura said their entry – operated by May 17 Transport Corporation and Davao Blue Taxi, Inc. — marks the completion of all operational requirements, pending the hiring of qualified local drivers.
“Na-complete na ang resealing sang ila units so anytime pwede sila ka-byahe… Na-complete man ila operation requirements. So kon san-o sila ma-umpisa, sa ila na ina ya,” Altura said.
Each of the two Davao-based companies will deploy 50 blue units.
While LTFRB rules generally prescribe a white color scheme for taxis, Altura said these operators were allowed to keep their blue branding consistent with their fleets in Cebu and Davao.
“Ara sa guidelines nga ang taxi is supposed to be white, pero ang operator nag-adopt sang color scheme nga blue, so blue ila color. Based sa ila nga presentation, ini nga kompanya… may ara sa Cebu and may ara sa Davao, blue ila tanan nga taxi,” he explained.
The LTFRB official also emphasized that the new operators are encouraged to hire Ilonggo drivers to ensure familiarity with local routes and passenger convenience.
“Ang operator mangita sang driver nga familiar sa lugar eh. Blue taxi nga ma-operate sa Iloilo, buot silingon sina, ma-hire ang operator sang mga drivers nga taga Iloilo nga familiar sa lugar,” Altura stressed.
While many commuters welcome the development as an improvement in service options, some Iloilo-based operators have expressed concern about competition from companies outside the province.
However, Altura clarified that LTFRB’s franchise decisions are based purely on compliance and qualification, not on the applicant’s geographic origin.
“Amo na ila alegasyon. Pero at the end of the day… wala kami rason nga indi namon pag-tagaan prangkisa just because ma-apektohan ang mga local operators,” he said./PN
