DAVAO CITY (January 17) — City Councilor Temujin Ocampo has urged Green GSM Philippines to hit the brakes and consult the local government before deploying its planned 500 electric taxis in Davao City.
Ocampo, chair of the council’s environment committee, warned that a large-scale rollout without coordination could worsen traffic congestion, which he said is already heavy following the early opening of Segment B of the Davao Coastal Road.
“We can’t just arbitrarily approve taxi operations. There’s a local transportation board and a committee on transportation that must be consulted,” Ocampo said during a Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos session at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
The councilor said he was unaware the company had already brought in units until reports surfaced that electric vehicles had arrived at the city’s port. Green GSM representatives later visited his office, but Ocampo stressed that Acting Mayor Sebastian Duterte had made it clear: comply first before operating.
No permits, no operations
The Davao City Government confirmed that Green GSM failed to secure key permits, including a business permit, locational clearance, and building permit. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board–Davao Region also said the company had already been informed of the requirements.
Because of the non-compliance, the city ordered the immediate closure of Green GSM’s Davao depot at JFM Sasa Property, with a closure sticker posted on the gate.
Green light — with rules
Ocampo emphasized that Davao is open to investors, including electric vehicle operators, but only if rules are followed. He pointed to his proposed ordinance offering incentives for EV manufacturers, operators, charging stations, and battery recycling facilities—benefits Green GSM could tap if it fully complies and the measure is approved.
Earlier, the Davao City Investment Promotions Center said the e-taxi project could create up to 20,000 jobs initially, potentially rising to 70,000 when fully scaled.
Green GSM plans to run a hybrid taxi service using VinFast electric vehicles, combining street hailing with app-based bookings. For now, city officials say, the message is simple: no consultation, no permits—no ride.
