Montealto axed as LTFRB-7 chief

Local

EDUARDO Montealto Jr., regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board- Central Visayas (LTFRB-7), has been relieved of duty effective December 18.

This amid heightened public scrutiny over the agency’s handling of the planned rollout of electric taxis in Cebu.

Montealto confirmed his relief on Friday, Dec. 19, saying the decision was part of the normal chain of command within the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and was not politically motivated.

He said he had anticipated the move, noting that he had served as regional director in Central Visayas for seven years, in addition to a year of service in Region 9.

Montealto said leadership rotation within the agency was standard practice and that an officer-in-charge has been designated to temporarily head LTFRB-7.

“This is a normal rotation. There is now a new regional director, currently in an officer-in-charge capacity,” he said, adding that the decision was not influenced by politics.

The relief from office came as LTFRB-7 faced public backlash over the planned deployment of around 600 electric taxi units in Cebu, a program opposed by local taxi operators and questioned by the provincial government.

Prior to his relief, Montealto had said the electric taxi rollout would proceed unless the LTFRB Central Office ordered its suspension, stressing that regional offices are required to implement national directives.

Montealto said he did not believe the controversy over the electric taxi program was the reason for his removal, explaining that the regional office was placed between competing concerns raised by operators and the government’s policy direction.

He acknowledged the concerns of existing taxi operators, who warned that additional units could affect their livelihoods, but said the government also had to pursue long-term goals of reducing pollution and dependence on fuel.

He said LTFRB-7 encouraged operators to gradually convert a portion of their fleets, about five percent, to electric vehicles, in line with the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act.

Montealto emphasized that LTFRB-7 was merely implementing a mandate from the national office and that the region had no authority to unilaterally stop the program.

He also denied any allegations of wrongdoing during his tenure, saying there was no corruption in his leadership.

Under Memorandum Circular 2025-50 issued on Nov. 18, additional taxi slots were opened nationwide for electric vehicles. In Cebu, 600 electric taxi units were granted provisional authority, allowing them to operate temporarily while their franchise application, filed with the LTFRB Central Office, remains pending.

Montealto earlier said LTFRB-7 was directed to conduct the required hearings and inspections in the region, including a scheduled hearing on December 23, and ongoing inspections of the electric taxi units.

Taxi operators, led by the United Cebu Taxi Operators Association Inc., opposed the program, citing the lack of public consultation and warning that the additional units could worsen traffic congestion in Cebu.

Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro also opposed the issuance of provisional authority, saying the issue was not the use of electric vehicles but the granting of operating authority to new operators, which she said could disadvantage existing franchise holders.

Montealto said the positions of the operators and the governor were formally noted and elevated to the LTFRB Central Office, which would ultimately decide whether to continue or suspend the program.

For now, the rollout of electric taxis remains in effect, pending further instructions from the LTFRB Central Office, while LTFRB-7 operates under interim leadership following Montealto’s relief from office.(TGP)