Capitol formalizes ‘Tabang Pambyahe,’ operations eyed by early July

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Metro Cebu commuters may soon experience shorter waiting times and more reliable bus services after the Cebu Provincial government formally launched “Tabang Pambyahe,” a transport subsidy program supported by the national government.

The initiative aims to improve public transportation by guaranteeing income for bus operators and drivers while ensuring regular and dependable service for commuters.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday, June 17, at the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT).

Present during the signing were DOTr Senior Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor, LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II, LTFRB Board Manager Greg Pua Jr., and other provincial officials.

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Baricuatro said the initiative was made possible through collaboration among government agencies and stakeholders.

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

Service Contracting Program

Baricuatro noted how Cebu Province will become the first local government unit in the country to implement its own public transportation net service contracting program.

Under the scheme, public transportation shifts away from the traditional boundary system and toward performance-based operations.

This means that public utility bus operators will receive subsidies based on service performance and the distance traveled instead of the number of passengers they transport.

Provincial officials said the setup is expected to provide commuters with more reliable transport services while ensuring fair compensation for transport workers.

“[The program] streamlines change in the sphere of transportation and mobility from its current setup from boundary-based, which is very profit-focused, to performance-based,” Baricuatro said.

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The signing of the MOA also formalized the release of ₱20 million in funding from the DOTr to support the transition to the service contracting model.

Implementation

Provincial Planning Officer Elizar Sabinay Jr. said the program was developed in response to Metro Cebu’s long-standing commuter challenges.

He cited heavy traffic congestion and the recurring mismatch between available public transportation and the growing number of commuters as among the issues that prompted the initiative.

Sabinay said provincial officials spent months consulting traffic managers and planning officers from Metro Cebu local government units to determine routes, bus stops, and operational requirements.

After nearly eight months of preparation, the pilot implementation will cover two major transport corridors.

The northern route will connect Cebu IT Park and Danao City, while the southern route will run between the Cebu South Bus Terminal and Simala in Sibonga.

Provincial officials said operations were expected to begin by the end of June or during the first week of July.

Sabinay said commuters could expect shorter queues, reduced waiting times, and more comfortable and accessible buses.

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“[The buses] will stop at a designated stop. Every 15 to 20 minutes, there will be buses available. So, it will guarantee a sure ride,” Sabinay told reporters.

He added that participating operators must comply with several service standards to qualify under the program.

READ: PUV service contracting being revived to keep drivers on the road

These include fully functional air-conditioning systems, low-floor accessibility features for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, surveillance cameras inside and outside buses, and a strict prohibition on standing passengers.

The project formed part of broader efforts to address worsening traffic congestion and other transportation challenges across Metro Cebu.

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