The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Tuesday committed to push for zero-emission vehicles, alternative fuels, and sustainable transport initiatives to help combat climate change.
Transportation undersecretary for road transport and infrastructure Jesus Ferdinand Ortega said the transport agency has pushed for the projects in keeping with the government’s commitment to observe the Paris Agreement.
According to Ortega, the projects include the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), the Active Transport Program, and partnerships with local government units (LGUs) promoting low carbon urban transport systems in the Philippines.
“This harmonization of transport projects is crucial for shaping a more sustainable future and creating greener cities that are safe, commuter/pedestrian friendly and accessible for all,” Ortega said.
Other climate resiliency and climate mitigation efforts, Ortega said, include electric trains, sustainable aviation fuel or SAF, crew training on use of methanol for sea vessels, solar panels for airport terminals, hybrid ferry boats along Pasig River.
The DOTr also supports the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act or EVIDA Law, which aims to promote the use of EVs and solve the problem of dependency on fuel and its increasing prices.
To encourage the use of electric vehicles as PUVs, the DOTr is studying the possibility of giving incentives to transport cooperatives and associations if they shift to EV vehicles to decarbonize the country’s road network and improve air quality.
“We are working on a roadmap to transition public transport to EVs. If our road public transport goes electric, we are on our way to sustainable green transport,” the transport executive said.
He cited, among others, Executive Order 12 that seeks to stimulate the EV market, support the transition to emerging technologies, reduce the transport system’s reliance on fossil fuels, and reduce gas emissions attributed to road transport.
