A new private sector-led electric bus initiative is emerging as both an economic safeguard and a climate response, as the government intensifies efforts to shield the country from volatile global oil prices.
The Department of Energy on Friday expressed support for the Iwas-Taas Pamasahe E-Transport Solution Program, which aims to deploy locally assembled electric buses across the country to help keep public transport fares stable amid rising fuel costs triggered by tensions in the Middle East.
In backing the initiative, the DOE said the program is in step with the government’s broader push to accelerate electric mobility under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act and the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry. These policies are designed to speed up EV adoption, expand the country’s charging network, and lay the foundation for a more sustainable and resilient transport system.
DOE Secretary Sharon Garin said the initiative demonstrates how the country can address the immediate burden of rising fuel prices while moving toward a cleaner and more dependable mode of public transportation.
“This initiative shows that we can protect commuters from rising fuel costs while advancing a cleaner and more sustainable transport system,” Garin said.
“Through strong public-private collaboration, we are making affordable and reliable mobility a reality for every Filipino,” she added.
The agency noted that electric vehicle adoption in the Philippines reached 60,906 registered units in 2025, marking a 2.5-fold increase from the previous year and signaling faster market acceptance of cleaner transport alternatives.
As of end-March, the country had 472 recognized EV models, 258 accredited EV charging station providers, and 1,569 charging points nationwide, reflecting the steady buildout of the infrastructure needed to support wider EV use.
To sustain this momentum, the DOE said it is pressing ahead with a series of measures aimed at making EV adoption more practical and accessible. These include a forthcoming policy requiring the installation of EV charging stations in key establishments, the integration of EV charging demand into power and distribution planning, and the rollout of technical standards to ensure charging systems are safe, reliable, and interoperable.
Beyond infrastructure and regulation, the DOE said it is also pushing programs that deliver more immediate benefits to commuters, especially at a time when transport costs remain vulnerable to global oil market shocks.
The government continues to offer a mix of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to encourage EV adoption, including zero import tariffs on electric vehicles until 2028, excise tax perks, and exemption from number coding in Metro Manila.
With fuel price risks once again in focus, officials are positioning electric public transport not only as an environmental solution, but also as a practical buffer against future fare hikes.
