The newly inaugurated e-trike charging station and retail hub are now fully operational in Valenzuela City. (Photo Courtesy of DSWD)
The Department of Social Welfare and Development and the One Meralco Foundation have jointly launched a new livelihood hub aimed at strengthening the income and sustainability of e-tricycle drivers and operators in Valenzuela City.
The initiative, formally turned over on January 10, consists of two key livelihood projects designed to lower operating costs and create new revenue opportunities for members of the VAL MULCETRODA SLP Association, a group composed of 30 local e-trike drivers and operators.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the project reflects the government’s continuing push to expand economic opportunities at the community level, in line with the directive of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to bring hope and sustainable livelihoods to Filipino families.
Implemented under the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program, the project includes the establishment of an E-Tricycle Charging Station that provides drivers with reliable and affordable access to electricity. The centralized facility is expected to help drivers better manage energy use, reduce downtime, and cut daily expenses linked to vehicle operations.
Complementing the charging station is an E-Tricycle Parts and Goods Retail Outlet, a community-run store that supplies affordable spare parts for e-trikes while also operating as a general merchandise outlet for nearby residents. The dual-purpose setup allows the association to generate shared income that can be reinvested to support its long-term operations.
Officials said the combined facilities are intended to move transport groups beyond day-to-day survival and toward becoming self-sustaining community enterprises. By integrating essential infrastructure with a collective business model, the program seeks to empower drivers while improving the viability of electric transport.
The partnership between the DSWD and One Meralco Foundation underscores the role of public-private collaboration in advancing sustainable urban mobility and inclusive economic growth, particularly for grassroots transport workers transitioning to cleaner and more efficient technologies.
