A consumers' advocacy group is urging President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to include two and three-wheel vehicles in an executive order granting tax incentives to electric vehicles.
Louie Montemar, co-convenor of Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3), said the move would benefit majority of the Filipinos, especially those who cannot afford four-wheel cars.
“The current Executive Order is discriminatory because it covers only four-wheeled vehicles. It does not cover the majority of the working class, many of whom use two- and three- wheeled vehicles, or even public utility jeepneys,” said Montemar.
He is referring to the Executive Order Number 12 signed by Marcos in January this year.
"It should be amended so that the tax breaks given to owners of electric vehicles could be enjoyed by Filipinos from the working class," said Montemar.
“We have to correct this injustice. Those who are already given tax perks are vehicle owners from the AB socio-economic bracket. Meanwhile, millions use their two- or three-wheeled vehicles to go to and from work or school. These are the people who are acutely feeling the pinch of higher prices of fuel and other commodities against their limited income," he added.
Montemar explained that an amended EO will also be an opportunity for the government to shift consumers away from their dependence on fossil fuels.
He added that the zero import tax incentive for five years will allow more consumers to consider better and more environmentally-friendly alternatives.
Experts have warned that motorcycles are also significant contributors to air pollution, and number almost half of the 2.9 million registered vehicles in Metro Manila.
“Motorcycles are popular because they are an affordable option to get from Point A to Point B, but with government data showing over seven million motorcycles in the country, there is substantial environmental cost?," said Montemar.
“Tax breaks for electric two or three wheeled vehicles would create an incentive for Filipinos to make the healthier, cost effective, electric vehicles, which I believe is the more responsible choice,“ the BK3 official added.
Montemar said electric vehicles are the transportation of the future, and the government should support a faster transition to smokeless modes of transportation.
“There is a growing demand for electrically powered motorcycles given their cost-effectiveness and their sustainability and is a step in the right direction as we struggle to address and mitigate the risks of climate change,” Montemar said.
“It is one thing to make pronouncements about the benefits of environmentally friendly alternatives. It is quite another thing to actually create policy that supports and promotes this in a way that could be felt by all people, not just the upper classes. Amending the EO to include motorcycles will make the policy more inclusive as it should be,” he added.