DAVAO CITY ( MindaNews / 16 December )– A day after its launch, the City Government of Davao called out Green GSM for operating in the city without the required permits, declaring its operations “illegal” and warning that such behavior will not be tolerated.
The local government released a statement through its official Facebook page on Tuesday, December 16, stating the company has yet to comply with the city government’s requirements before commencing business operations here.
The company, according to the local government, has not yet secured a business permit, locational clearance, and building permit for its facilities.
“Companies may choose to bypass regulations elsewhere, but such behavior will not be allowed in Davao City,” it said.
It added that until Green GSM complies with the required permits, its operations are considered illegal, urging the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to investigate Green GSM Taxis’ operations following their launch on December 15.
“The City Government of Davao reminds the operator of Green GSM Taxis that it is their legal obligation to secure and comply with all necessary permits from government agencies before operating within the City of Davao,” it said.
It also noted that the Green GSM has not obtained a recommendation from the City Transport and Traffic Management Board (CTTMB) and from the Sangguniang Panlungsod for its franchise application with the Land Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) as required under the Ordinance No. 0334-12, also known as the “Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Code Ordinance of Davao City” passed in 2012.
“While we support an environmentally cleaner transportation, the City Government of Davao will not tolerate any company that blatantly disregards local ordinances,” it said.
Green GSM Philippines, a local subsidiary of Vietnam-based firm Green and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company (GSM), began operating its electric taxis in Manila and Cebu on June 10.
The 500 electric vehicles, manufactured by VinFast, arrived at the Port of Davao in late October.
Aside from the Philippines, the GSM has been operating electric taxis in Vietnam, Laos, and Indonesia.
In a Facebook post on December 15, Atty. Mark Peñalver, executive director of the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), expressed concern over bringing additional vehicles into the city, citing the worsening traffic conditions felt by many Dabawenyos.
He also questioned whether the vehicles are truly environmentally friendly, noting that their energy source is not clean.
“With the traffic congestion that we have now, do we really need more of this? And, No! Don’t tell me it’s environmentally friendly because the current energy source that we have is not clean. Another thing, an electric car is not an alternative. It is still ‘business as usual’ with a bit of glam,” he said. ( Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews )
