MANILA – The Philippines could soon have its own locally manufactured electric tricycle as the Marcos administration works to establish a domestic electric vehicle production industry.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Tuesday that the government is working with local manufacturers and technical experts to address the equipment and production gaps that need to be filled before Filipino-made EVs can roll out.
Marcos visited MD Juan Enterprises, Inc. in Caloocan City to inspect its facilities and discuss what additional support may be required to expand into electric vehicle manufacturing.
The company currently specializes in machine-pressed metal parts and restoration kits for vintage, military, and civilian jeepneys. It is also a beneficiary of the Department of Science and Technology’s e-mobility program.
The President said government agencies are determining which capabilities are already available at the facility and which still need to be developed.
“Kaya tinitingnan namin ang mga facilities, ano yung nandito na, ano na yung mga kulang, ano pa yung mga kulang na susuportahan ng ating DOST, ng national government para makapagawa na tayo ng electric vehicle dito sa Pilipinas,” Marcos said.
He said a local EV manufacturing sector could bring several benefits, including reducing the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products and helping make the transportation industry more sustainable.
Marcos also pointed to the potential of locally produced EVs to generate more stable livelihood opportunities for transport workers.
With the necessary equipment and technical assistance, he expressed confidence that the country could soon produce its own electric tricycle.
“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 electric jeepney,” he said.
The initiative forms part of the administration’s continuing push for transportation modernization, cleaner mobility and stronger local manufacturing capacity.
ia/xf
