Powering sustainable livelihood. The installation of the e-trike charging station was made possible by the efforts of DSWD, represented by Assistant Secretary Ulysses Aguilar (rightmost), OMF led by President Jeffrey Tarayao (fourth from right), the city government of Valenzuela led by Cong. Kenneth Gatchalian (fifth from right), Barangay Lawang Bato Chairman Oristes Tolentino (3rd from right), and MULCETRODA led by President Editho Advincula (3rd from left).
A new community-driven sustainable transport initiative is transforming daily operations and boosting incomes for 117 electric tricycle drivers in Barangay Lawang Bato, Valenzuela City, with the launch of modern, coin-operated charging stations designed to address long-standing operational challenges.
The project, made possible through a partnership between the Department of Social Welfare and Development and One Meralco Foundation, delivers dedicated e-trike charging facilities powered by Movem Electric Inc..
The new chargers are now readily accessible to members of the Mulawinan Centro E-Trike Operators and Drivers Association (MULCETRODA), providing a reliable alternative to costly and time-consuming charging routines.\
In recent years, many MULCETRODA drivers have shifted to battery-powered tricycles to improve passenger comfort and reduce emissions. While the transition marked a step toward cleaner transport, it also introduced new pressures. Frequent battery swaps, high electricity costs, and long charging times often forced drivers to cut trips short or return home mid-shift, reducing daily earnings.
The new initiative directly addresses these pain points by bringing affordable, efficient charging closer to where drivers work.
Installed at the tricycle terminal along Mulawinan Street are five dual-outlet, 4.4-kilowatt coin-operated charging units, creating a total of 10 charging outlets that can operate for up to 15 hours a day. With more batteries charged on-site and on schedule, drivers can now stay on the road longer, improve trip frequency, and stabilize their income without sacrificing sustainability.
Valenzuela First District Representative Kenneth Gatchalian described the project as a practical response to the real-world needs of e-trike drivers, noting that it gives MULCETRODA access to a modern charging facility that directly supports their livelihood.\
A member of MULCETRODA shows Cong. Kenneth Gatchalian (in red) and OMF President Jeffrey Tarayao (in white) how his e-trike battery can recharge through the new e-charging station.
Beyond easing daily operations, the charging station is also structured as a shared microenterprise for the association. After electricity costs are covered, projected net revenues from the facility will be distributed equally among participating drivers, creating an additional income stream while strengthening collective ownership.
For One Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey O. Tarayao, the initiative underscores what strong public–private collaboration can achieve. He said the project demonstrates how partnerships between proactive institutions and the national government can translate ambitious sustainability goals into concrete solutions that uplift communities on the ground.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Ulysses Aguilar echoed this sentiment, calling the project the first of its kind and expressing hope that it can be replicated in other areas.
He said the initiative offers a viable model for future charging stations as the country moves toward a more sustainable electric transport system, one community at a time.