Abra lone district Rep. JB Bernos urged local government units (LGUs) to collaborate with the academe in producing electric vehicles (EVs) for public transport as the country continues to grapple with the high price of fuel and transport groups clamor for fare hikes.
“Shifting to EVs is a long-term solution that will decrease our dependency on oil and protect our transport sector and the riding public from volatilities that are outside our control,” Bernos said.
“I believe our state universities and colleges are perfectly capable of producing market-ready EVs. Ang kailangan ngayon ay mabigyan ng pagkakataon na maitanghal ang kakayahang ito sa tulong ng mga LGU,” Bernos, a member of the House committee on local government, also said.
The lawmaker also said LGUs can tap the academe to help fulfill a law mandating that they transition their official fleet of vehicles to EVs.
Under Republic Act No. 11697 or the Electric Vehicles Industry Development Act (EVIDA Law), LGUs are mandated to transition at least 5 percent of their fleet to EVs.
LGUs are also required to establish dedicated EV lanes and streamline permitting for EV charging stations.
Bernos said that tapping local EV designers and producers would help spur the local economy, as these would create avenues for manufacturing and green employment.
Besides reduced fuel costs, the solon also touted other benefits from shifting to EVs, such as lower greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality.
Bernos has also advocated for LGUs to shift to solar energy to help reduce operational costs. He is the author of House Bill No. 3126, or the On-Grid Solar Energy Systems bill, which mandates the establishment of on-grid solar energy systems in all national and local government-owned buildings and offices to reduce electricity costs.