The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will be setting up electric vehicle (EV) quick charging stations in its Cebu and Davao offices after inaugurating its pioneer station in Quezon city.

DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs Jonas R. Leones in a statement released on Thursday, March 1, called the installation of the charging station “timely”, being in line with Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy A. Cimatu’s current campaign against air pollution in Metro Manila.

“This EV charging station will definitely be of great help in promoting the use of electric as well hybrid cars that are more environment-friendly option than gas-powered vehicles,” he added.

Mr. Leones said that the first charging station is the first step towards forming a network of EV charging stations nationwide, starting in highly-urbanized cities.

Last week, it was reported that DENR has joined the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic to address smoke belching in Metro Manila. Data from DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau showed that 80% of air pollution comes from motor vehicles, whiel the remaining 20% are sourced from stationary sources.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippine Corporation (MMPC) donated the electric charging station, which was built by Mserv, a Manila Electric Company subsidiary. This came after MMPC donated 10 EVs to DENR last June 2017. MMPC is also set to put up charing stations in the regional offices of the Department of Trade and Industry. — Anna Gabriela A. Mogato

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