More EVs made in the Philippines
It is great to have everyone here. I think the format of these talks is particularly useful because we can step away from the usual formal meetings and simply have a good, open conversation about what these policies mean in practice.
Today, we are talking about Executive Order No. 121 and the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy, or EVIS, which aims to support local manufacturing of electric vehicles and their parts and components.
But rather than spending our time discussing the technical details of the policy, I think there is a much more interesting question: what does this actually mean for the Filipino?
If I am a driver, a commuter, a business owner, a fleet operator or a potential EV buyer, what will I see and experience differently? Will there be more affordable EVs? More choices? Better financing? More parts and services?
These are the kinds of questions we want to hear today. And importantly, we want to hear them not only from government and industry, but from the people who will actually use, finance, operate and service these vehicles.
From UNIDO’s perspective, there is also a bigger opportunity here. EVIS is not only about electric vehicles. It is also about industrial transformation.
The shift to electric mobility gives the Philippines an opportunity to build new capabilities and to create opportunities for Filipino businesses and workers.
For us at UNIDO, this is what makes the transition particularly important: how do we make sure that the industries of the future are also industries that the Philippines can build and benefit from?
Of course, EVIS is only one part of the picture. There are still questions around affordability, financing, charging, skills, after-sales services and consumer confidence.
That is why today’s conversation is important.
So, I encourage everyone to be open and practical. Tell us what you need, what concerns you and what would actually make you consider buying, using or recommending a locally produced EV.
And perhaps, as we look a few years ahead, we can ask ourselves one simple question: if EVIS works, what should we actually be able to see?
More Filipino-made EVs? More jobs? More local suppliers? Better services? More choices for consumers?
Hopefully, today’s discussion can help us move from the policy itself to what success should actually look like on the ground.
abtestabtest The amici curiae By SKETCHES | By Ana Marie Pamintuan | 1 day ago After that awesome display of erudition by retired Supreme Court justices last Wednesday, no one seems to dare make a fearless forecast on how senators will vote on the issues for which the justices were invited... Opinion Readings for Sept. 21 By BREAKTHROUGH | By Elfren S. Cruz | 2 days ago As the country remembers – still with much anger and horror – the dark years of the Marcos-declared martial law on Sept. 21, 1972, it is somehow reassuring that there are excellent books for those who... Opinion DICT’s budget crisis By Best Practices | By Brian Poe Llamanzares | 2 days ago To be clear, the House of Representatives did not summon Mark Zuckerberg, nor was the budget deferred because of concerns involving Meta alone. Opinion Proposed immigration fee pushing through By EYES WIDE OPEN | By Iris Gonzales | 3 hours ago Remember the Bureau of Immigration controversial proposal to implement a new border security system that includes an immigration fee of P240 per passenger? Opinion Truth, fairness, common sense By VIRTUAL REALITY | By Tony Lopez | 3 hours ago Truth, fairness, common sense. Opinion Latest More in Opinion EDITORIAL - Wanted: Guidance counselors Shortage Moontales Small business, big region abtest EDITORIAL — No golden age 1 day ago Fifty-four years ago, Ferdinand Marcos placed the country under martial law, ostensibly to bring peace and order, but mostly to perpetuate himself in power, allowing him to circumvent the two-term limit set for presidents... Opinion Block, delete or bounty? By CTALK | By Cito Beltran | 1 day ago Back in the ’60s, we were all taught a rhyme to get back at nasty people who say bad things to spite or insult us. Opinion Sure and steady success By GO NEGOSYO PILIPINAS ANGAT LAHAT! | By Joey Concepcion | 1 day ago Very few things are sweeter than good news coming when it is unexpected. Opinion The law on trial By QWERTYMAN | By Jose Dalisay | 1 day ago Like many young Filipinos of my postwar generation, I once dreamt of becoming a lawyer. Opinion Shades of martial law By COMMONSENSE | By Marichu A. Villanueva | 1 day ago For many Filipinos, we quietly observe today one of the darkest periods in our country’s history when it was placed under martial law rule 54 years ago. Opinion Recommended Senate tackles today VP impeachment vote threshold September 21, 2026 - 1:00am Senators are expected to go into caucus today in an attempt to resolve the question on the conviction threshold for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. OpinionIMPEACHMENT VP Sara’s business deals next at trial September 21, 2026 - 12:00am House prosecutors are expected to focus on conflict of interest arising from Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged businesses as the impeachment trial resumes today. OpinionIMPEACHMENT Next witness to testify on Sara business interests, government deals September 20, 2026 - 12:00am The House prosecution panel is preparing witnesses to testify on Vice President Sara Duterte’s declared business interests, possible government contracts and registered firearms for this week’s impeachment...r OpinionBENJAMIN TOLOSA JR. More time needed to resolve impeach vote threshold September 20, 2026 - 12:00am The impeachment court trying Vice President Sara Duterte may defer resolving the voting threshold question to give senators more time to study the issue, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said yesterday. OpinionIMPEACHMENTSARA DUTERTE Senators should consider commuting to work – Sherwin September 19, 2026 - 12:00am Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian urged his fellow lawmakers yesterday to try commuting to work, inspired by a Department of Transportation policy requiring key DOTr officials to experience the daily troubles of...r OpinionSENATESENATOR next Recommended Senate tackles today VP impeachment vote threshold Senators are expected to go into caucus today in an attempt to resolve the question on the conviction threshold for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. 1 day ago IMPEACHMENT VP Sara’s business deals next at trial House prosecutors are expected to focus on conflict of interest arising from Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged businesses as the impeachment trial resumes today. 1 day ago IMPEACHMENT Next witness to testify on Sara business interests, government deals The House prosecution panel is preparing witnesses to testify on Vice President Sara Duterte’s declared business interests, possible government contracts and registered firearms for this week’s impeachment hearings. 2 days ago BENJAMIN TOLOSA JR. More time needed to resolve impeach vote threshold The impeachment court trying Vice President Sara Duterte may defer resolving the voting threshold question to give senators more time to study the issue, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said yesterday. 2 days ago IMPEACHMENT SARA DUTERTE Senators should consider commuting to work – Sherwin Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian urged his fellow lawmakers yesterday to try commuting to work, inspired by a Department of Transportation policy requiring key DOTr officials to experience the daily troubles of the riding public firsthand. 3 days ago SENATE SENATOR OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!
