Bongbong Marcos talks about electric vehicle production with businessmen

NORWAY’S ELECTRIC VEHICLES In this Nov. 26, 2014 file photo, electric cars queue in the bus lane (left) on the main road into Oslo. In Norway, some 30 percent of all new cars sport plug-in cables rather than gasoline tanks and although the country is planning to withdraw the subsidies and other perks for electric vehicle owners, they are also planning to have higher taxes on traditional cars. (File picture from Lise Aserud/NTB Scanpix via AP)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is discussing with his cabinet members and private businessmen the possibility of producing electric vehicles (EV) in the Philippines.

This comes after the President met with Private Sector Advisory Council Job Sector Groups (PSAC-JSG) in Malacañang.

“Seeing the potential of the Philippines in electric vehicle production, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomed on Thursday the public-private sector collaboration to make the country a major player in the e-vehicle industry,” said Palace in a statement.

The Chief Executive said Philippines is becoming part of the global chain for electric vehicles or EVs because of the country’s industry potential.

However, he also pointed out consumer demand for green energy can pose a difficulty.

“To address the challenges, Marcos underscored the need for the private sector and the government to be conscientious in considering the issue, and instructed the PSAC-JSG to submit a complete list of the proposals they presented,” the statement said.

“The PSAC-JSG made a commitment to study the proposal further and to continue working with their consultants to provide the President with a better plan,” it added.

Included in the meeting were Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual,  and Secretary Arsenio Balisacan of National Economic and Development Authority.

Private sector representatives present in the event were Sabin Aboitiz of Aboitiz Equity Ventures Incorporated, Joey Concepcion III of RFM Corporation, Alfredo Ayala of AC Education Incorporated, Rizalina Mantaring of Ayala Corporation, Kevin Tan of the Alliance Global Incorporated, Doris Magsaysay-Ho of Magsaysay Group of Companies, and Teresita Sy-Coson of SM Investments Corporation.

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