Mober strengthens advocacy to push EV adoption in Philippines

CEBU, Philippines — Green logistics advocate, Mober, has strengthened its advocacy to push on the use of commercial EVs (electric vehicles) in the Philippines.

The company, led by Mober CEO Dennis Ng, recently organized a forum dubbed “Leading the Way in Green Logistics: A Forum on Moving Together for a Carbon-Free Philippines.”

Held in celebration of World Electric Vehicle (EV) Day on September 9, 2024, the forum focused on accelerating the push on the use of commercial EVs in the country.

“World EV Day is more than just a celebration—it’s a call to unite and collaborate in accelerating the adoption of commercial EVs. The transition to sustainable logistics requires the collective efforts of the government, the private sector, and consumers. At Mober, we believe that green logistics is essential to achieving a carbon-free future, and this forum is a testament to our commitment. We are proud to lead by example and inspire others to join us on the path to a cleaner, greener Philippines,” said Ng.

The forum brought together government, the private sector, and key enabling organizations united with a vision to accelerate commercial EV adoption, a key step toward reducing carbon emissions in logistics, a sector widely recognized as a significant contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions.

This year’s is the fifth observance of World EV Day, which started in 2020 and aimed to unite companies and individuals, policymakers, and thought leaders to raise awareness and promote the shift to EVs worldwide.

In his speech during the event, Department of Transportation (DOTr), undersecretary for road transport and infrastructure Jesus Ferdinand “Andy” Ortega reiterated the government’s commitment to accelerating the country's EV transition.

“We must fast-track the transition to EVs. By promoting the use of EVs and active transport, the Philippines is making strides toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with our commitments under the Paris Agreement and national development goals," said Ortega.

Ortega reiterated DOTr’s support for the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), which promotes EV adoption to reduce dependency on fuel and address rising energy costs.

He also highlighted key government initiatives, such as Executive Order No. 12, which aims to stimulate the EV market, support the transition to emerging technologies, reduce the transport system's reliance on fossil fuels, and reduce gas emissions attributed to road transport.

The forum also featured panel discussions that tackled timely and pressing issues on the shift to commercial EVs and businesses’ efforts to achieve their sustainability targets by integrating electrified delivery services in their supply chain operations.

Anton Mauricio, Undersecretary and General Manager of the National Development Company (NDC) stressed the importance of investing in the overall energy ecosystem, saying, "Our role at NDC is to signal confidence in emerging industries. By strategically investing in energy storage, renewable energy, and EVs, we aim to attract more capital and drive innovation for a sustainable future."

The forum also highlighted the country’s leading brands to delve into their strategies for achieving their sustainability goals through greener logistics practices, such as Severino De Robles, Fulfillment Business Developer at IKEA Philippines; Gerald Tulud, General Manager of Kuehne+Nagel; Anderson Martins, Head of Supply Chain and Procurement at Nestlé Philippines; and Mark Valle, Senior Supply Chain Manager at Rustan Coffee Corporation (Starbucks).

Companies expressed enthusiasm for integrating more EVs into their supply chains, aligning their efforts with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). — (FREEMAN)