The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has pushed for the use of electric vehicles, citing the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
In a virtual presser, DOST Secretary Fortunato "Boy" de la Peña reminded the country's commitment to the Paris Agreement. Under its commitment, the Philippines is targeting to cut greenhouse gas emissions to a 75 percent reduction by 2030.
To meet the Paris Agreement targets, he added, emissions from the transport sector must peak around 2020 and fall nine percent by 2030.
"If powered by renewable energy, electric vehicles can play an important role in helping to reach this target, while helping to catalyze economic and health benefits along the way," de la Peña stressed.
"The Philippine government has been promoting the use of electric vehicles across the country, including as a form of public transportation," he added, noting that there are currently 28 firms engaged in the manufacturing of various electric vehicles.
De la Peña said the establishment of "green cities" is expected to generate higher demands for e-vehicles for public transportation, noting that electric jeepneys and electric tricycles are "getting more and more common" in the country's major business districts and urban areas.
E-vehicles, he added, can also be found in key tourists spots such as Boracay and Palawan.
"Resorts and local government units have started to invest in e-vehicles, such as electric tricycles and electric jeeps, to reduce carbon emission, to preserve the natural beauty of the environment, and to provide transportation to the growing number of tourists," the DOST secretary said.
The country's first e-mobility research and development center is currently being established in Cagayan and will specialize in the local manufacturing of low-cost e-trikes.