Amid climate crisis, council calls for transition to electric taxis

To combat the glaring effects of air pollution, the Cebu City Council supports the call to urge transportation agencies to transition the local taxi sector to electric vehicle (EV) operations.

- Caecent No-ot Magsumbol/IHM

This follows a privilege speech by neophyte Councilor Nice Archival, who framed the move as both a climate imperative and a moral responsibility during the most recent regular session.

Archival, the niece of environmentalist and incumbent Mayor Nestor Archival, called for legislative support in modernizing urban mobility amid worsening traffic congestion, air pollution, and climate-related disasters.

"As representatives of the people, it is our duty not only to respond to the challenges of today but to prepare our city for the challenges of tomorrow," she said.

Citing data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Archival noted that vehicular emissions account for up to 80 percent of air pollution nationwide. This, coupled with Cebu’s growing population and vehicle density, places the city squarely within the crisis.