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, said the installation of the charging station is “timely,” being in line with DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu’s current campaign against air pollution in Metro Manila.

Last week, it was announced that the 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 in the country’s capital comes from motor vehicles, while the remaining 20% are sourced from stationary sources.

“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 said.

Mr. Leones said the initial charging station located inside the DENR main office compound is the first step towards forming a network of EV charging stations nationwide, starting in highly-urbanized cities.

Metro Cebu, composed of several cities and neighboring municipalities, is the most urbanized area in the Visayas islands, while Davao is the fastest-growing city in Mindanao.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippine Corp. (MMPC) donated the first electric charging station, which was built by Mserv, a Manila Electric Company subsidiary.

In June last year, MMPC donated 10 EVs to DENR. The company is also set to put up charging stations in the regional offices of the Department of Trade and Industry. — Anna Gabriela A. Mogato

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR