By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
With all the conversations surrounding alarm bells raised by experts regarding the gravity of climate change, countries across the globe are scrambling to make the switch to modes of transport with little to no impact on the environment, such as electric vehicles (EVs).
The Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), which was signed into law in 2022, is among the measures that the government has put in place to pave the way for the gradual transition to sustainable mobility across the archipelago.
Building upon its momentum, the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Board of Investments has worked on the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS), which aims to provide targeted fiscal and non-fiscal incentives that stimulate local production of EVs, batteries, motors, components, charging stations, and testing facilities.
DTI Secretary Cristina Roque said the new strategy is expected to attract P120 billion in capital investments that would help in creating jobs across the country. The said influx of investments will generate about P 11.4 trillion in economic output.
Roque said, “President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has made it clear: economic transformation must be felt by every Filipino. The EVIS is our concrete response—laying the foundation for a strong, inclusive EV industry that empowers our workers, strengthens local manufacturing, and delivers lasting opportunities for communities nationwide.”
The EVIS is expected to create nearly 680,000 jobs, while concurrently setting production targets from 2028 to 2040, supporting the local rollout of up to nine million electric vehicles, including two-and three-wheelers, passenger cars, buses, and trucks, along with nearly 400,000 charging stations.
Also included among the highlights of the proposed incentive is the P400 billion uptick in the government’s tax revenue, which may be used to fund essential public services. Likewise, a reduced dependence on imported vehicles and spare parts can save the country up to USD30 billion in foreign exchange earnings.
The DTI is working closely with the FIRB to finalize the EVIS, which is scheduled for deliberation in July 2025.
E-commerce law takes effect
Meanwhile, the agency has also announced the commencement of the full implementation of Republic Act No. 11967, or the Internet Transactions Act of 2023 (ITA).
The act now empowers the DTI to issue takedown orders against online listings for illegal goods or services. Digital platforms can also be held solidarily liable with sellers for violations if they fail to act on illicit activities on their sites.
Effective immediately, all e-marketplaces, e-retailers, and online merchants must disclose the price, brand name, description, condition, and the seller’s contact details for all goods and services offered.
Said platforms are also mandated by the agency to put up accessible and equitable consumer redress systems, secure payment methods, and robust data protection standards.
Secretary Roque said, “In line with President Marcos’ directive to build a safe and inclusive digital economy, the full implementation of the Internet Transactions Act is a promise fulfilled to the Filipino people.”
The Trade chief added, noting that DTI will enforce compliance of the law via its E-Commerce Bureau, “Our goal is to give every Filipino consumer peace of mind when they shop online, while ensuring that our thousands of legitimate local entrepreneurs and MSMEs are protected from unfair competition and illicit trade.
The law is supported by Joint Administrative Order No. 24-03, its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), which were issued on May 24, 2024. The IRR were jointly developed by the DTI, the departments of Information and Communications Technology, Agriculture, and Health, along with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the National Privacy Commission.
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