The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is urging Vietnamese automaker VinFast to consider establishing manufacturing operations in the Philippines, as the government accelerates plans for a comprehensive electric vehicle (EV) incentive program.
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque told lawmakers at a joint hearing of the House Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) energy committees that she recently met with VinFast executives, who are expanding their footprint in the country beyond an initial focus on electric taxis. While the company intends to import and sell EVs locally, Roque said the DTI is pushing for longer-term investments that include domestic production.
“We will definitely encourage them to manufacture or assemble here… we need jobs for our people,” Roque said.
VinFast, however, signaled caution.
In an earlier interview, Antonio Zara, CEO of VinFast Philippines and Southeast Asia, said the firm has no immediate plans to set up manufacturing in the country, emphasizing that its current priority is market entry and vehicle sales.
“At this point, there are no plans yet to manufacture in the Philippines,” Zara said.
Roque said the government is “almost” ready to roll out a new EV incentive strategy, alongside a dedicated funding mechanism to support industry development.
The program will cover both hybrid and fully electric vehicles, offering incentives not only for purchases but also for local assembly and manufacturing.
The initiative is modeled partly on the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program, which previously supported select vehicle models, but will aim for broader participation across the EV sector.
Officials remain optimistic that a stronger policy framework will attract global EV manufacturers, spur job creation, and reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuel while enhancing long-term energy resilience.
