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Roblox to enact child-safety changes giving parents more control

Roblox Corp., the video-game platform popular with preteens, is instituting a number of reforms following widespread criticism of its child-safety policies and the arrests of alleged child abusers using the service.

Users under the age of 13 will need parental permission to access certain Roblox chat features, according to a copy of an e-mail the company sent to parents this week. Kids under nine will also need permission to play games with moderate violence or crude humor, according to the e-mail, which was reviewed by Bloomberg News.

The video-game company, based in San Mateo, California, is also introducing a new type of account that will let parents monitor their child’s online activity and friends.

A Roblox spokesperson declined to share more information about the changes, which the company plans to implement next month.

Roblox’s child-safety policies have come under scrutiny in recent months.

The moves “are part of Roblox’s commitment to making the platform one of the safest online environments for our users, particularly the youngest users,” the company said in an e-mailed statement.

The changes follow Roblox’s July announcement that it would label games based on the type of content they contain, rather than by age.

Roblox’s child-safety policies have come under scrutiny in recent months. Since 2018, US police have arrested at least two dozen people who were accused of abusing or abducting victims they met or groomed on Roblox, according to a July Bloomberg Businessweek investigation. Some of those predators were already on sex-offender registries or had been accused of abusing minors offline. Roughly 40% of Roblox’s 80 million daily active accounts are under age 13.

Unlike competitors, Roblox until recently let children of any age establish accounts and talk to strangers. Child-safety advocates have criticized the ease with which kids on Roblox can chat with people they don’t know — an issue the changes may address. As of September, Roblox no longer lets children under age five set up accounts.

Following the Businessweek investigation, short seller Hindenburg Research published a report saying Roblox doesn’t do enough to stop child predators from accessing the platform. The report also accused Roblox of inflating its user numbers and time played, although some industry observers questioned that claim. Days earlier, short seller the Bear Cave issued a similar report alleging Roblox facilitated “widespread child abuse.”

A Roblox spokesperson described the Hindenburg report as “misleading,” saying the authors “neglected to accurately report on the company’s public disclosures.”

“We firmly believe that Roblox is a safe and secure platform and in the financial metrics we report,” the spokesperson said at the time.

In an interview earlier this year, Roblox’s chief safety officer, Matt Kaufman, rejected the idea that Roblox has a systemic child safety problem and said the platform’s moderation systems scan all chat and digital content for inappropriate content. — Bloomberg

ACEN unit to invest up to $18 million in 70-MW Bangladesh solar project

ACEN Corp. said its unit plans to invest as much as $18 million (P1.04 billion) in the construction of a 70-megawatt (MW) solar project in Bangladesh.

ACEN Renewables International Pte. Ltd. is set to infuse capital in IBV ACEN Renewables Asia Pte. Ltd., its joint venture company with Singapore-based solar developer ib vogt (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., the company said in a stock exchange filing on Thursday.

“The infusion/investment will be used to acquire the relevant project holding company and funding for necessary capital expenditure,” ACEN said.

The investment is part of ACEN’s expected contribution of as much as $200-million equity investment to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in Asia.

The joint venture will focus on shovel-ready projects in Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, with a minimum target operational capacity of 1,000 MW.

All regulatory approvals and conditions had been satisfied as of August 2023, making the shareholder’s agreement for the joint venture company effective.

Ib vogt Singapore is an affiliate of ib vogt GmbH, a German company that specializes in developing and delivering large-scale turn-key photovoltaic plants. The company has built or has projects under construction worth 4.3 gigawatts (GW), with a project pipeline of 55 GW.

ACEN, the listed energy platform of Ayala Corp., boasts a portfolio of about 4.8 GW of attributable renewable capacity in operation and under construction, as well as over one GW worth of signed agreements and competitive tenders it had won.

The company has presence in the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Laos, and the US.

ACEN shares shed 3.2% to close at P4.84 each. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Practical applications of artificial intelligence

“AI Practical Applications and the Philippine Development Goals” was the topic discussed at the recent FINEX Annual Conference held at the Aboitiz Tech Space, at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM). The guest speaker was AIM professor Dr. Christopher Monterola, executive managing director of ACCeSs and head of the Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship. He is also a member of the Philippine Development Plan Advisory Committee. The panelists were Sycip Salazar partner Atty. Rose Dominguez and Hungry Workhorse CEO Rey Lugtu.

The Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 aims to reinvigorate job creation, accelerate poverty reduction and uplift our nation. Can artificial intelligence (AI) technologies be used to meet these goals? How can AI improve access to quality education? What role does it play in modernizing agriculture? How can it transform healthcare be efficient and inclusive?

The conference was impressive as Dr. Chris answered all these and more. He also discussed trends and the technologies with the greatest impact on disruption in 2019-2023: artificial intelligence was at 70%, cloud computing at 10% and blockchain was at 6%. According to Goldman Sachs, generative AI could substitute up to one quarter of current work in the US and Europe by 2030. Potential job loss due to AI is estimated to be at 85 million by 2030, with new jobs expected to be created at 97 million.

His demonstration of the practical applications of AI for process improvements was interesting. On fraud detection and risk mitigation, he provided actual cases such as the improvement of the current validation process at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. He also cited statistics showing 500 accounts with 2,000 items per account processed at 40 person hours per account, resulting in 20,000 person hours per month, which were reduced to just 11 minutes with AI. Can this efficiency be extended to job applications, loan applications? The answer is yes!

He then showed a case on automation and value assessment. A project done in collaboration with Unistar Credit and Finance Corp, and the Department of Science and Technology on repossessed motorcycles reduced the assessment time from one hour to less than five minutes. This can also be expanded to the assessment of vehicles, computers, and jewelry, among others, he said.

He added that people movement and wealth, emerging affluent cities, demographics, and climate change impact can also be predicted by AI in the next 20 years. “Cities are on the front lines of shaping the world that is prosperous, sustainable and inclusive,” he said. He cited Baguio as a case study for smart cities. Mayor Benjamin Magalong now has data available real time and knows when utilities and public services reach stress levels before they happen. Amazing!

Meanwhile, Atty. Rose reminded us of the risks and legal and ethical issues of the use of AI. Meaningful ideas and insights were also shared during the open forum. Does AI pose any risks for the business process outsourcing industry that employs 1.3 million Filipinos? What segments of a new AI-enabled service economy can the Philippines play in? Repetitive and routine tasks like customer support, data entry, and basic transcription services are at risk as AI-powered chatbots, voice recognition software, and machine learning algorithms can efficiently handle these tasks, potentially reducing the need for human agents. However, Rey Lugtu said the Philippines can leverage its strengths by moving into higher-value AI-enabled services. These include managing AI systems (like AI trainers, data annotators), providing specialized services like data analysis, and enhancing customer service, which requires empathy, cultural understanding, and problem-solving skills — all things that AI cannot easily replicate. We can also capitalize on AI-driven sectors like healthcare analytics, financial technology solutions, and digital content moderation, where human oversight is essential for ethical and effective implementation.

How can businesses not be vulnerable to replacement by emerging AI trends? Rey suggested focusing on value propositions that emphasize uniquely human qualities like creativity, emotional intelligence, and ethical decision-making. AI can enhance efficiency, but it cannot replicate human intuition, relationship-building, and nuanced understanding of complex situations. Additionally, businesses must stay agile and continuously evolve by integrating AI to enhance, rather than replace, their current value. Continuous innovation and investment in employee training to upskill in areas where AI complements their roles will also help businesses stay ahead of emerging trends.

AI is here to stay with its many benefits, including productivity, efficiency, 24/7 availability, and its practical applications.

The conference, which was sponsored by the FINEX Professional Development Committee co-chaired by Mai Bisnar and Paolo Azurin, with Ethics Committee Chair Wilma Miranda, was inspiring, productive and thought-provoking.

The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of FINEX.

 

Flor G. Tarriela is PNB board advisor, independent director of LTG and Nickel Asia. She was formerly Chairman of PNB, the first Filipina vice-president of Citibank N.A, and former undersecretary of Finance. An environmentalist, she founded Flor’s Garden in Antipolo.

National Government fiscal performance

THE NATIONAL Government’s (NG) budget deficit widened to P273.3 billion in September, as revenues and expenditures posted double-digit growth, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said on Thursday. Read the full story.

National Government fiscal performance

The Philippines should deploy other international law measures against China

FREEPIK

As China continues to push its weight around the Pacific, the Philippines needs to expand its options on how to effectively engage with its neighboring bully and protect its own sovereignty.

Clearly, the possibility of the Philippines being part of the UN Security Council will be of much help — it can provide the necessary platform with which to more profoundly communicate its “transparency policy” and thus shed more light on China’s rather inappropriate actions.

However, the Security Council can only go so far, considering that China itself is a “permanent” member of the Council and thus has the ability to exercise veto powers. Nevertheless, there is the UN General Assembly which, in times when the Security Council has been rendered ineffectual, can actually declare measures that deal with international peace and security.

Thus, in coordination with our security allies, the Philippines can raise the issue of China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea before the UN General Assembly, as provided for under the “Uniting for Peace General Assembly resolution 377 (V).”

This could include asking for a binding security resolution, a.) demanding China stop its aggression in the West Philippine Sea, b.) abide by the Arbitral ruling, and, c.) demand that, in case China violates a.) and b.), that UN members take all necessary measures to compel China to comply with said resolutions.

Another method would be to file cases under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) for violation of environmental law. In this regard, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) can accept cases for “all disputes and all applications submitted to it in accordance with the Convention. It also includes all matters specifically provided for in any other agreement which confers jurisdiction on the Tribunal (Statute, article 21). The Tribunal has jurisdiction to deal with disputes (contentious jurisdiction) and legal questions (advisory jurisdiction) submitted to it.” “Contentious jurisdiction” refers to “disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention, subject to the provisions of article 297 and to the declarations made in accordance with article 298 of the Convention.”

Specifically, this refers to “jurisdiction over any dispute which is submitted to it in accordance with Part XV of the Convention concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention (Convention, article 288, paragraph 1; Statute, article 21) and the Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the Convention.” Parties may, however, refer by agreement a dispute that falls under Articles 297 and 298 of the UNCLOS. Most significantly, under Article 288, paragraph 2, of the UNCLOS, the ITLOS has jurisdiction over any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of an international agreement related to the UNCLOS.

As for the World Trade Organization (WTO), aside from trade related cases involving damage to the environment, it should be emphasized that the Philippines to date is suffering from a nearly $2.5 billion (or nearly P145 billion) trade deficit with China this year (in 2022, it was for a total of $38.3 billion or P214.5 billion). There should at least be reasonable measures taken to ensure that the Philippines is not losing out as far as WTO rules are concerned.

In this case, the Philippines has access to the WTO Dispute Settlement Understanding, which allows the Philippines to initiate a case if it considers that any benefit accruing to it directly or indirectly under the WTO agreements are being “nullified or impaired or that the attainment of any objective [thereof] is being impeded as the result of (a) the failure of another contracting party to carry out its obligations under th[e WTO agreements], or (b) the application by another contracting party of any measure, whether or not it conflicts with the provisions of th[e WTO agreements], or (c) the existence of any other situation.”

After the panel process, a party should be able to appeal to the Appellate Body, which unfortunately has so far been inoperative since December 2019. Due to substantial disagreements over past rulings, the United States has resorted to blocking new appointments to the Appellate Body, leaving the latter unable to hear appeals. This has left previous panel rulings that have been appealed without a final binding ruling. However, there is no reason why panel cases cannot be studied, even initiated, by the Philippines if warranted.

Furthermore, there is the dispute settlement proceedings that can be studied under the provisions of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA), a free-trade area between the 10 member states of ASEAN and China. Embodied in the provisions of the ACFTA Agreement on Dispute Settlement Mechanism of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Co-Operation, such allows the Philippines to initiate cases for arbitration regarding any measure affecting the observance of the Framework Agreement (or its Annexes) taken by central, regional, or local governments of another party.

International law allows the Philippines to undertake proportionate retaliatory action and countermeasures.

Finally, there is that one other recourse for our country but it’s something hopefully that need not be taken.

 

Jemy Gatdula is the dean of UA&P Law, as well as a Philippine Judicial Academy law lecturer for constitutional philosophy and jurisprudence.

https://www.facebook.com/jigatdula/

Twitter  @jemygatdula

What to do before downsizing

Our chief executive officer (CEO) feels that we’re overstaffed. He has tasked the human resource (HR) department to do something. What are our available options given that our manpower complement is 30% less than the competition? — Saber Light

​It’s not easy to downsize an organization. It could be made difficult when you have a labor union that would object to whatever plan you may have, as they would consider such a plan a form of union busting. The CEO may have a good reason why he’s thinking of downsizing. But you need to clarify his objectives. 

Hear it directly from the horse’s mouth. Find out more about his perceptions and thoughts. Ask for specific details. Then prepare a financial cost analysis for severance pay. Calculate a payback period for the restructuring costs with the help of the finance department.

The information required includes the estimated payroll savings, the target number of workers to be removed, their average salary, and length of service. Then, compare it with several optional packages of say, two months for every year of service and the average fringe benefit cost at 25% of salary.

​In many instances, downsizing can be justified by falling revenue, increased operating costs, or both. It’s not enough that we look at what the industry is telling us. Maybe, the competition has high levels of staffing because of the size of their operations or the number of products or services that they’re offering to customers.

​Of course, we won’t know for sure unless we take a good look at operations. The labor laws allow employers to terminate workers due to automation, installation of labor-saving devices, or to avoid losses or further losses. The law even allows total closure of the business after major, irreversible losses.

​In that case, employees targeted for dismissal are always entitled to notice and severance pay, plus an outplacement program that could help them start a new life somewhere. The outplacement program includes training on entrepreneurship, and financial management, teaching them new skills, and career counseling which includes assistance in preparing professional-looking resumes and coaching on how to ace job interviews. 

If possible, employers can recommend employees for hiring by the company’s affiliates, subcontractors, or suppliers.

Providing an outplacement service to employees sends an excellent signal to both the surviving and resigning employees that the company cares for them.

DUMBSIZING
​If an organization has not thought through its proposed downsizing program, it could result in what is known as “dumbsizing.” The exercise could fail if the company ends up with low performers, the unskilled, and the inexperienced, forcing the company to pirate outsiders and offer them attractive pay and perks. If that happens, you’ll be back to square one.

​Think hard before downsizing. Reducing headcount can destroy social equanimity when structures are altered, work relationships disrupted, work patterns and workflows modified. It will take time for the surviving workers to do the jobs once performed by many.

​A pervasive feeling of job insecurity could undermine the efficiency goals that were supposed to be achieved by downsizing. That’s why many organizations prefer to do positive downsizing through a voluntary redundancy program (VRP).

​This can succeed with an offer of a severance pay package that could range from one to three months per year of service. This is attractive to the relatively young, with long years of service, and higher pay resulting from their merit increases.

​A VRP causes less pain, is less emotional, and is less stressful for management, targeted employees, and survivors. To avoid paralyzing company operations, management must reserve its right to refuse the applications of high flyers, those considered to be indispensable, or those who possess unique skills that are difficult to replicate.

OTHER OPTIONS
​To help your CEO make an intelligent assessment of a planned downsizing program, you must suggest other pathways like the implementation of a kaizen program to help the organization identify and systematically reduce its operational costs.

​Sometimes, mergers and consolidation are possible options, except that it takes the shareholders to do just that. It is not within the authority of the CEO to do that on his own, but he could make a strong recommendation to the board of directors.

​Another option is the centralization of backroom or support functions, like recruitment, and payroll, among other related functions, to end up with a so-called shared services setup. In other words, the solution may not necessarily limited to downsizing or rightsizing.

 

Consult Rey Elbo on your workplace issues via Facebook, LinkedIn, or X, or send an e-mail to elbonomics@gmail.com or visit https://reyelbo.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.

Fox plots Billionaire Apocalypse series with Hugh Jackman producing

THE FOX broadcast network is developing a new TV drama about the richest man on the planet fleeing to his private island with 200 employees amid a global financial crisis.

The workers, whom the billionaire has “treated as afterthoughts for decades,” quickly realize he’s no longer rich or in charge, according to a summary of the program released on Monday.

The series, which has the working title Billionaire Apocalypse, includes actor Hugh Jackman as an executive producer, although it hasn’t been cast. So far, the Fox Corp.-owned network has committed only to a script.

In addition to Mr. Jackman, the project has an accomplished lineup of writers and producers including Jay Carson, the former political aide and creator of The Morning Show. Lawrence Bender, whose credits include Pulp Fiction and An Inconvenient Truth, and Kevin Brown, who produced the Starz series Flesh and Bone, are also involved.

The rich and infamous have been a source of successful shows since the dawn of TV. Before decades of inflation — and color TV sets — The Millionaire ran for six seasons on CBS. More recent examples include HBO’s Succession, about a scheming media family, and Billions, a Showtime series about a hedge fund titan. In earlier decades, Dallas focused on a wealthy oil family, while Gilligan’s Island made light of a millionaire marooned on an island with a group of castaways. — Bloomberg

DoubleDragon gets Triple A rating for first tranche of P30-B bond program

DOUBLEDRAGON.COM.PH

LISTED property developer DoubleDragon Corp. got the highest credit rating for a P10-billion planned bond issuance in November as the company aims to expand its investor base.

It secured the “PRS Aaa” with a stable outlook for the bond offer with a base amount of P5 billion and an oversubscription option of as much as P5 billion, it said in a stock exchange filing on Thursday.

The P10-billion bond sale is the first tranche of DoubleDragon’s P30-billion multiyear retail bond issuance. The tenor is at 5.5 years, while the interest rate is at 8%, with a P50,000 minimum denomination.

The “PRS Aaa” rating is given to debt with marginal credit risk, while a stable outlook means that the rating is likely to remain unchanged in the next 12 months.

DoubleDragon’s bond issuances for 2025 and 2026 will be priced at about 7% and 6% per annum, respectively.

“The pipeline capital-raising issuances at this stage of DoubleDragon’s growth are intended to further boost its financial position by increasing its cash position,” the company said.

Meanwhile, DoubleDragon Chairman Edgar “Injap” J. Sia II said he expects the bond sale to attract retail investors.

“Since the cycle of low interest rates has begun, this retail bond offering could be the very last time in many years at 8% per annum,” he said.

This offer would also accommodate retail investors who failed to participate in the recent DoubleDragon retail bond sale, he added.

In July, the company finished a P10-billion retail bond offer that was fully subscribed five days before schedule. It was the initial segment of DoubleDragon’s shelf-registered debt program.

DoubleDragon shares gained 0.37% or 4 centavos to close at P10.82 each. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

How PSEi member stocks performed — October 24, 2024

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Thursday, October 24, 2024.

Escudero sees CREATE MORE signing next month

PHILIPPINE STAR/GEREMY PINTOLO

SENATE President Francis G. Escudero said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is due to sign the bill that will amend the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) in less than three weeks.

“The President is due to sign it on Nov. 11, barring any typhoons and calamities,” Mr. Escudero said at the 13th Arangkada Philippines Forum in Pasay City on Thursday.

The measure “seeks to encourage more investors to actually come into the Philippines by providing a level, more predictable, and sustainable playing field, (thereby generating) jobs here in the Philippines,” he added.

The bill amending CREATE is known as CREATE to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE).

Saying that he expects no veto from the Palace, Mr. Escudero said: “We are 90% sure that it will be signed as is because it was coordinated with the office of the President.”

He added that the 10% accounts for the possibility of last-minute adjustments.

He noted that a veto is unlikely because the Senate is closely coordinating with the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Office of the President in the legislative process.

Congress passed the CREATE MORE bill in September. It seeks to lower corporate taxes to 20% from 25% and set a local tax of 2% for registered business enterprises (RBEs).

It will also grant RBEs a VAT zero rating on local purchases, a VAT exemption on imports, and duty exemptions on imports of capital equipment, raw materials, spare parts, and accessories.

American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham)Executive Director Ebb Hinchliffe said that the impending signing of the CREATE MORE bill is a positive development.

“We have been advocating for that ever since the CREATE Act left gaps. And then CREATE MORE, finally, four years later, closes that gap,” Mr. Hinchliffe told BusinessWorld.

“It did not have everything we wanted, but it did clarify the tax refund and a little bit more about the work from home situation. We would prefer to make it equal with BoI to the other investment promotion agencies (IPAs). But 50-50 (onsite work share) is better than nothing,” he added.

He said AmCham had been pressing for a 100% work-from-home option, subject to a ruling by the investment promotion agencies such as the Philippine Economic Zone Authority on whether such a policy is suitable. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Electric vehicle incentive scheme could be issued before end of year

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it hopes to release the incentive scheme for the electric vehicle (EV) industry by year’s end.

“We aim to have the EVIS (Electric Vehicle Incentives Strategy) issued before the end of the year. This is also in response to what the President said two days ago,” Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo told reporters on the sidelines of 12th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit 2024 on Thursday.

Earlier this week, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said the government is considering giving incentives to businesses that invest in the local manufacturing of electric vehicles.

This incentive policy will cover potential investors in the e-mobility industry while also prioritizing Philippine companies.

The DTI, together with the Department of Science and Technology, are tasked with coming up with a framework for the incentive scheme under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act. 

According to the DTI, the Board of Investments will recommend an EVIS to the Fiscal Incentives Review Board for approval.

Mr. Rodolfo said EVIS aims to support the transition from Internal Combustion Engine to EVs.

The EV Incentive Strategy is expected to result in the domestic manufacture of around four million EVs in the next 10 years.

This strategy covers incentives for consumers like purchase subsidies through direct financial rebates or discounts, tax credits, value-added tax exemptions or reductions, and special electricity rates for EV charging stations, the Energy department has said.

Separately, the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) remains positive it will hit its 2.45 million unit EV sales target by 2028, despite low penetration rates.

“As you are probably aware, we are aggressively pushing for e-vehicles in the public transport sector, with a growing number of PUV drivers and operators shifting to EVs especially in the countryside,” Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said at a separate event.

EVAP President Edmund A. Araga said the Philippines is behind on its target, but EVAP is banking on the performance of two-wheeler EVs and other light electric vehicles.

“If we are going to factor in two-wheel and three-wheel vehicles, we can reach this target,” he said.

EVAP is projecting a 6.6 million EV fleet by 2030. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Transport dep’t sees EV perks possibly covering parts imports

Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista

INCENTIVES for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers could also include tax breaks on parts imports to boost domestic production and consumer adoption, the Department of Transportation said on Thursday.

Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said at an international motor show organized by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) in Pasay City that the tax break proposal for parts was put forward by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. as part of the expansion of incentives to be offered under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA).

Mr. Bautista said the proposal was made during a recent cabinet meeting.

“The President would like to study the possibility of extending incentives not only for whole-EV imports but also parts because we can assemble or manufacture EVs here in the Philippines. Some parts will be imported,” Mr. Bautista said.

According to Mr. Bautista, the incentive scheme is still being studied by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Executive Order No. 62, signed by Mr. Marcos on June 20, extended the zero-tariff policy on EVs and parts through 2028. The order also expanded the coverage of zero tariffs to e-motorcycles, e-bicycles, nickel metal hydride accumulator batteries, e-tricycles and quadricycles, hybrid EVs and plug-in hybrid EV jeepneys or buses.

In a recent statement, Malacañang cited the need for an incentive policy for potential investors in the EV industry.

It added that the DTI has been drafting a strategic roadmap under the EVIDA which will define the possible incentives.

EVIDA sets a quota for EV adoption in organizations with vehicle fleets. One of the law’s components is the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry, which aims to establish the country as an EV producer and exporter by 2040.

Separately, CAMPI President Rommel R. Gutierrez said the industry is expecting a 10% increase in EV sales this year.

“Last year, there were 10,000 hybrid and pure EV (units sold). Definitely, 10,000 units sold will be surpassed this year. We’re confident (sales will exceed last year’s by) 10%,” he said.

As of Oct. 18, 25,196 EVs were registered and served by 705 EV charging stations, according to the Palace. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

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