Archival okays P6 million EV purchase

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has approved the procurement of two electric vehicles worth P6 million for the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), in line with his administration’s push for sustainable transport.

The amendatory resolution, sponsored by Councilor David Tumulak, clarified that the purchase would be charged under Account Code 1011-8-300-50706010-25 CY 2025 Motor Vehicle (E-Vehicle) of LSA – Various Capital Outlay, ensuring compliance with fiscal and auditing standards.

Archival’s approval came during council deliberations, when Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña questioned the request and asked how many vehicles CCTO chief Raquel Arce already had.

Before he could press further, however, some councilors reminded him that the resolution had already been approved by the City Council prior to Archival’s approval.

In her Dec. 15, 2025 justification letter, Arce said the acquisition was critical to replacing the office’s deteriorating fleet, which has been strained by 24/7 operations to enforce City Ordinance No. 801.

She said the aging vehicles were prone to breakdowns, required costly repairs and posed safety risks to personnel.

Arce also cited compliance with Republic Act No. 11697, or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), which requires government agencies to dedicate at least 5 percent of their fleet to EVs, as well as DBM Budget Circular No. 2022-1, which encourages the acquisition of fuel-efficient and environment-friendly vehicles.

Archival’s approval is consistent with his broader advocacy for electric mobility.

He has promoted EV adoption in Cebu and has suggested that public transport franchise renewals should require the use of electric vehicles.

Archival has also highlighted the potential cost savings from EVs, noting the difference between the cost of a long trip in an electric car and the fuel expenses for a conventional vehicle.

His administration has partnered with AC Mobility to install EV charging stations at Cebu City Hall, preparing infrastructure for the city’s growing EV fleet.

The procurement is backed by a Certificate of Availability of Appropriation issued by Acting City Budget Officer Roseny Reyes and a Certificate of Availability of Funds signed by City Treasurer Emma Villarete, confirming the P6 million allocation.

The procurement comes amid the growing adoption of electric vehicles nationwide, prompting the government and transport operators to strengthen safety measures as more motorists shift to cleaner mobility.

At least 66,685 EVs were sold nationwide from January to August 2026, accounting for about 24.7 percent of an estimated 270,124 total vehicle sales during the period, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).

The sales included 20,716 hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), 29,649 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and 16,320 battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said the increasing availability of electric mobility options must be accompanied by infrastructure, policies and safety capabilities that keep pace with adoption.

“What we are seeing is a broader range of electric mobility choices becoming available to Filipino consumers. As adoption increases, our responsibility is to make sure that the infrastructure, policies, and safety capabilities needed to support these vehicles keep pace,” Garin said.

The country’s EV ecosystem has also expanded. As of the end of August, DOE-recognized EV models had reached 949, while registered EV charging stations nationwide stood at 1,876.

The DOE said these developments support Republic Act No. 11697 and the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI), including the Clean Energy Scenario target of a 50-percent EV fleet share by 2040.

The government is also developing the domestic EV industry through the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS) under Executive Order No. 121, which provides up to P60 billion in performance-based fiscal support for qualified investments in EVs and related industries.

Alongside the expansion of EV infrastructure, the DOE is strengthening safety preparedness among motorists and emergency responders, including proper EV use and charging, battery care, high-voltage electrical hazards and emergency-response procedures.

The efforts were reinforced during the “Drive Electric: EV Safety” forum on Sept. 4, 2026, where motorists and emergency personnel received practical guidance on EV safety, including the handling of high-voltage electrical incidents and vehicle containment.

Garin said the growth of electric mobility must go hand in hand with safety, particularly as first responders and motorists face risks specific to EV technology.

The DOE said it will continue working with industry stakeholders, local government units and emergency-response teams to expand consumer safety information and conduct regional responder workshops. — /FPL (FREEMAN)