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More electric taxis could soon operate in Bicol and Palawan after transport regulators made 500 new franchise slots available exclusively to electric vehicles.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board allotted 400 slots to Bicol and another 100 to Palawan under separate memorandum circulars. The agency cited demand for additional public transport as economic and tourism activities continued in both areas.
For Bicol, the LTFRB reversed an earlier allocation for 100 conventional taxis and instead opted to accommodate more electric units. The 400 EV slots are covered by Memorandum Circular 2026-085.
Palawan received 100 slots through Memorandum Circular 2026-089. The agency said introducing more electric taxis could help expand mobility options while supporting the transition toward lower-emission transportation.
The latest allocation came after the LTFRB previously made about 8,000 slots available for electric Transport Network Vehicle Service units, including battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Applicants for the new taxi franchises must seek authority for at least 15 vehicles. Units must be brand new and belong to either the current model year or the year immediately preceding the filing of the application.
The LTFRB said applicants with vehicles already available would receive priority. Those still awaiting units may provide an undertaking backed by a manufacturer or dealer commitment showing that the vehicles could be supplied within 90 days.
Acting LTFRB Chairman Greg Pua said applications could be submitted through the agency’s digital platform or its regional offices. Acceptance will begin after the two memorandum circulars are published in newspapers.