The Pasig City local government officially unveiled its Pasig City Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) on Thursday, March 7, as part of the continuing effort to make Pasig a more environment-friendly and sustainable city.
(Photos from Pasig LGU)
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto together with other city government officials attended the launching ceremony of the EVCS located at the Pasig Kabuhayan Center, East Bank Road in Barangay Sta Lucia.
The EVCS has three charging terminals that could be used by six electric vehicles simultaneously (two electric vehicles per charging terminal).
"Dahil solar-powered ang EVCS na ito, bukod sa makakatipid ang Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Pasig dito, makakatulong din ito para makabawas sa polusyon dahil sa paggamit nito ng renewalable energy source (Since the EVCS is solar-powered, the city government of Pasig can save more money and it also helps decrease pollution by using renewable energy source)," the city government said.
During the program, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Programme Analyst Gwyneth Palmos explained the background of the EVCS, which is also a part of a bigger project spearheaded by the UNDP and the Department of Transportation (DOTr): the Promotion of Low Carbon Urban Transport Systems in the Philippines (LCT). The city was chosen as one of the four pilot sites of the project.
The UNDP also conducted an Asset Transfer Certificate signing with the city government to signify the official turnover of the EVCS to Pasig. An actual demonstration of the EVCS was then held after the signing.
"Ang proyekto na ito ay kaugnay ng pagtataguyod ng pagkakaroon ng sustainable transportation infrastructure sa Lungsod Pasig. Matatandaan na noong 2023 ay nagkarooon na ng EVCS sa Pasig City Mega Parking II na nasa District I ng Pasig, at ang pagkakaroon nito sa Sta. Lucia na nasa District II naman ay para gawing mas accessible pa ang mga imprastraktura na ito sa mas maraming Pasigueño (This project is in line with the establishment of a sustainable transportation infrastructure in Pasig. In 2023, Pasig City opened an EVCS at the Pasig City Mega Parking II located in the first district of the city. With the launching of the Sta. Lucia EVCS in the second district of Pasig, more Pasigueños will benefit from this initiative)."
The LGU explained that aside from electric vehicles owned by the city government, Pasigueños who own electric vehicles may also use the EVCS to charge their electric vehicles for free once it becomes fully operational.
"Bago ang pagbubukas nito para sa publiko ay magkakaroon muna ng karampatang training para sa personnel ng City Transportation Development and Management Office at City Engineering Department tungkol sa wastong pag-operate at pag-maintain ng pasilidad ng EVCS (Before opening it to the public, personnel of the City Transportation Development and Management Office and City Engineering Department will undergo training for the proper operation and maintenance of the EVCS facilities)," it added.
In November last year, Pasig City received eight electric quadricycles (e-quads) developed under the Solutions Plus project with the units locally made by start-up company ToJo Motors.
On Dec. 5, 2022 , the local government announced its involvement in the global SolutionsPlus initiative, in partnership with the Urban Electric Mobility Institute and Clean Air Asia.
The project aims to help local governments connect with start-up companies and national agencies to develop "fit-for-purpose e-mobility solutions” that emit zero carbon emissions, promotes the use of clean energy, and adheres to eco-friendly vehicle standards.
Aside from the e-quad, flexible electric vans (FLEVs) are also being developed as a multi-purpose substitute that can function as a single cab pickup, double cab pickup, and a passenger or cargo van.
The project also includes the development of optimal charging stations and an electric vehicle (EV) sharing system.
In August 2021, Sotto signed Executive Order No. PCG-63 series of 2021, for the creation and appointment of a Steering Committee on Electric Mobility. They are tasked to plan and implement e-mobility programs in the local government in accordance with the Clean Air Act of 1999.
The group leads the city's initiatives for sustainable urban transportation in preparation for the city's transition to electric mobility such as the creation of walkway and cycling networks, bike sharing systems, and e-mobility training.
In 2020, Pasig City received 20 e-bikes and 10 e-tricycles from the Philippine Postal Corporation, which were donated by the UNEP, and Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer TailG, to help the local government deliver relief goods during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The local government made use of these e-vehicles as transport services for frontliners, chronically ill and dialysis patients, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and persons with Covid-19 to quarantine facilities.