A consumer advocacy group calls on transportation regulators to amend tariff policies to encourage the importation and use of more sustainable modes of transportation.
The group said the amendment would form part of the shift to clean energy while also helping Filipinos bear with the rising prices of fuel.
CitizenWatch Philippines convenor and former congressman Jose Christopher Belmonte said Sections 1608 and 1609 of Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, must be modified to lower the cost of importing two-wheeled electric vehicles and all its components.
“Government should encourage more Filipinos to invest in more environment friendly transportation, as well as create incentives for them to make this shift,” Belmonte said, adding that all the indications point to the increased use of electric two-wheeled vehicles in the years to come.
The updated Philippine Energy Plan 2020-2040 states that two-wheeled electric vehicles will significantly make up the projected number of EVs on the road by 2040. Sales of two-wheeled electric vehicles continue to increase, especially as more Filipinos try to find ways to cope with the inadequate transportation system in the country and high fuel prices.
“The enactment of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (Republic Act No. 11697), or EVIDA, establishes that shifting to sustainable sources of energy and modes of mobility is a priority of the government,” Belmonte said. “It is time we operationalized the objectives of the law to make it practical and doable for the people to participate in it.”
Belmonte added that policies should also make it attractive for the private sector to partner with the government on this end.
Belmonte said that the Philippine government, through its Executive Order no. 12 of 2023, temporarily lowers the tariff rate of four-wheeled EVs to 0% for the next five years. Two-wheeled vehicles, however, have been excluded in this initiative.
“Four-wheeled and two-wheeled vehicles seek to provide a solution to the same problem. Electric motorcycles should be able to enjoy the same benefits as their four-wheeled counterparts,” Belmonte said, adding that electric powered vehicles will greatly reduce harmful emissions on the environment.
“The government’s strategy toward the adoption of electric vehicles in the transport industry should, logically and naturally, include two-wheeled vehicles.”
Further, Belmonte pointed out that Administrative Order 2023-039 regarding motorcycles that is currently being reviewed should include e-motorcycles with speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour to be allowed in bicycle lanes.
Citing prior confusion regarding the implementation of this policy, the DOTR should also release a separate department order on electric vehicles.
“This order should be cascaded to all local government units to avoid conflict on the use of bike lanes and on the banning of e-bikes on main roads in the country,” he said.
Finally, Belmonte said that “L1a” e-bikes, which have the capacity to go beyond 25kph, should be registered with the Land Transportation Office and their users must be required to have driver’s licenses.
“Shifting to newer modes of transportation does not mean we should abandon our primordial concern for the safety of our people” he said.