DOTr cited in Electric Mobility Awards
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) was conferred with an Institutional Award in the Annual Electric Mobility Awards during the official opening of the 10th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS) hosted by the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), Manila Electric Company (MERALCO), Department of Energy (DOE), and Nissan Philippines Inc., on October 20, 2022 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.
Conducted yearly, the PEVS is an event pioneered by the EVAP which promotes the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country by bringing together stakeholders across the EV value chain including policymakers, regulators, academe, consultants, transport companies, power utilities, and end-users to engage in policy dialogue. The PEVS also forges a long-term collaboration to accelerate the adoption of EVs and the deployment of EV charging infrastructure in the country.
For the past years, the DOTr has been the forerunner in the shift to greener energy in the public transport sector through the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). With the passing of the Republic Act No. 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) and the subsequent issuance of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the DOTr sees this as an opportunity to further advocate the use of EVs, particularly in embedding it in the public transportation landscape.
“As we take part in the formulation of the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI), we are exerting all efforts, together with the DOE and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), to ensure that the four components—EV charging stations, manufacturing, research and development, and human development will be effectively implemented in compliance with the provisions in the EVIDA,” said DOTr Road Sector Undersecretary Mark Steven C. Pastor who represented Secretary Jaime J. Bautista in the event.
As part of the major roles of the DOTr in the EVIDA, the Department will also ensure that the demand for EV generation will be prioritized, as well as the promulgation of criteria for additional green routes, and the guidelines for the mandaty 5% EV share in the current public utility vehicle (PUV) fleet.
“The DOTr commits to comply with the EVIDA as we strongly believe in its vision. Together in this multi-sectoral approach in the development, commercialization, and utilization of electric vehicles, we will be united in driving electromobility in support of the EVIDA,” Usec. Pastor concluded.
