Province inks MOA for commuter service contracting

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Government formally signed a memorandum of agreement for the implementation of the Tabang PamByahe Program, a service contracting initiative aimed at improving the availability, accessibility, and reliability of public transportation services across the province.

The signing ceremony was held at the Cebu South Bus Terminal and was attended by officials from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Senior Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Vigor Mendoza II, LTFRB Board Manager Greg Pua Jr., along with other Capitol officials.

Executive Assistant Elizar Sabinay Jr of Provincial Planning and Development Office said the program has been in development for nearly eight months, with preparatory work beginning in November 2025.

The next phase involves the procurement of services, with implementation targeted by the end of June or early July this year.

In her speech, Governor Pamela Baricuatro described the agreement as a product of cooperation among various government agencies and stakeholders.

“Programs like this do not happen through the efforts of one institution alone --they require exactly the kind of coordination and shared accountability we are formalizing today,” Baricuatro said.

She thanked national government agencies, local government units, and transport stakeholders for supporting the initiative, saying their collaboration made the program possible.

She said the objective of the program is straightforward: to improve the commuting experience of Cebuanos.

“What brings us together today is actually very simple and straightforward: every Cebuano commuters deserve better. They deserve transportation that is safe and reliable, with their daily commute being a pleasant experience and not an agony they must suffer each day,” she said.

Baricuatro added that the agreement represents a formal commitment from government agencies and stakeholders to work toward a more efficient and accessible public transportation system.

The program will initially cover two pilot routes before being expanded to other areas of Cebu.

“From our two pilot routes, we will expand further with the main objective in mind, to provide every Cebuanos: ‘Nindot nga Byahe, Dali ug Komportable,’ and this is what Tabang PamByahe is all about,” she added.

Data gathered during the program’s assessment phase showed a mismatch between passenger demand and the current supply of public transportation services.

The study found that while some terminal points recorded fewer boarding passengers, buses eventually became full after picking up commuters along their routes.

During peak hours, particularly on trips bound for Cebu and on return trips to Danao and Simala in the afternoon, many passengers were left standing inside overloaded vehicles.

A significant number of those affected were students and young professionals. In several monitored trips, buses reportedly had to refuse additional passengers because there was no longer enough space.

The assessment also found persistent overloading on buses traveling between Simala and Cebu South Bus Terminal, even during periods considered off-peak hours. Passengers were often left without seats after buses passed several municipalities.

The survey noted that no direct bus route currently operates between Cebu South Bus Terminal and Simala, with buses officially terminating in Alcoy or Argao and only passing through Simala as a stopover.

Meanwhile, commuters at the IT Park terminal continued to experience long queues during peak hours, as only two buses were being dispatched every hour. Long lines were also observed even after the last scheduled trips.

Traffic congestion was also identified as a major factor affecting travel times and service efficiency. The 32-kilometer IT Park-Danao route averaged between two to two-and-a-half hours, while trips between Cebu South Bus Terminal and Simala, covering about 50 kilometers, averaged two to three hours.

With these findings, program proponents concluded that the current level of service remains insufficient to meet commuter demand.

Under the Tabang PamByahe Program, the provincial government, in coordination with the DOTr, will provide subsidies through a net service contracting scheme designed to increase bus dispatch frequency, extend operating hours, shorten waiting times, and reduce overloading.

Participating bus operators will be required to follow agreed service schedules and deploy additional buses as needed.

Vehicles must also be equipped with GPS and CCTV systems to allow monitoring of trips and improve passenger safety.

For its part, the Cebu Provincial Government will oversee monitoring and evaluation, including dispatch inspections, ride monitoring, and surprise checks to ensure compliance with service standards.

A grievance mechanism will also be established to address commuter concerns and service disruptions.

Baricuatro noted that the initiative is the result of months of planning and coordination, beginning with technical preparations conducted with transport advocacy group Commuters for Change in November last year, followed by discussions with the DOTr earlier this year and confirmation of national government support in March.

“In less than eight months, the Cebu Provincial Government will be the first Local Government Unit of the country that will implement its own public transportation net service contracting program,” the governor said. — /BRP (FREEMAN)