Cebu government, Visayan Electric ink pact for Project ECO Loop

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government has officially sealed its partnership with Visayan Electric Company and the Aboitiz Foundation Inc. for the rollout of Project ECO Loop (Phase 1), a pioneering initiative that will deploy free electric buses across key heritage routes in the city.

This came following a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed recently, marking the start of Cebu’s first electric bus system.

Mayor Nestor Archival, who led the signing, described the project as a long-awaited step toward sustainable mobility and inclusive urban development.

“This is something we’ve longed for. We’ve been dreaming, me and Joel Garganera (city councilor), for the last two years that we will have this, and now we finally have this Memorandum of Agreement. This is a spark — and there’s a saying that it only takes a spark to get the fire going,” Archival said.

The ECO Loop will offer free rides aboard electric buses that traverse downtown Cebu’s heritage sites, combining clean energy transport with cultural tourism.

Under the agreement, the Cebu City Government will manage routes and daily operations, while Visayan Electric and the Aboitiz Foundation will handle infrastructure, logistics, electricity costs, and charging stations.

Two electric buses will be supplied by Global Electric Transport Philippines (GET-PH) for the initial phase.

Visayan Electric OIC-President and General Manager Engr. Mark Anthony Kindica reaffirmed the company’s support for Cebu’s environmental goals.

“We are very happy and always here to support programs that promote the welfare of our city—especially if it is electric, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. This initiative not only helps the environment but also highlights Cebu City’s heritage sites,” Kindica said.

Councilor Garganera, who joined the event, emphasized commuters’ safety and accessibility. The buses are PWD-friendly and equipped with CCTVs and other safety features.

“We’ll be launching this before the end of the month, in proper coordination with CCTO for designated bus stops. This is a start — a way to promote discipline among commuters,” Garganera said.

Also present during the MOA signing were City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) Head Ann Marie Cuizon; GET-PH representatives Elizar Sabinay Jr., strategic manager for Visayas and Mindanao, and Raymond Aquino from the Marketing Department.

Mayor Archival also explained the project’s broader significance.

“This project is more than just about transportation; it’s about transforming how we move as a community. The ECO Loop is the beginning of a sustainable and smart Cebu City for all,” he said. —/JG (FREEMAN)