President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is confident that the Philippines can eventually manufacture its own electric vehicles as the government pushes to strengthen local manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.

Marcos made the statement after inspecting an automotive parts manufacturing facility in Caloocan City, where he assessed the company’s production capabilities and the support needed to expand local vehicle manufacturing.

According to the President, the administration is looking at ways to help local manufacturers improve their production capacity, particularly in developing Filipino-made electric vehicles.

“At alam naman natin yan ang ating hangarin para mabawasan ang dependence on petroleum products na nanggagaling sa ibang lugar at sa ganun paraan ay magiging mas stable ang ating ekonomiya at ang hanap buhay ng lalong lalo na yung mga kasama natin ang nagpapasada,” Marcos said.

He added that additional equipment would still be needed before local production could move forward.

“So, the next step is to put in some of the new equipment na that is still necessary for the production of the electric vehicle. At alam na namin yung gagawin,” Marcos said.

The President said technical consultants are already working with the government and industry partners on the next steps toward producing locally made electric public transport vehicles.

“And together with our technical consultants, I believe that we will soon be seeing a Filipino electric vehicle tricycle. At maybe down the road makagawa na tayo ng jeepney,” he said.

The Department of Science and Technology, meanwhile, committed to provide technological assistance to help improve product quality and speed up production.

The government has been promoting locally developed electric mobility technologies as part of efforts to reduce fuel dependence and support cleaner transportation. 

DOST has previously backed projects involving electric tricycles, e-jeepneys, charging systems and other locally developed e-mobility technologies

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