President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday pushed to help Filipino carmakers build the capacity to manufacture electric vehicles in the country in a bid to strengthen the local manufacturing industry.
He made the remarks during an inspection of the facilities of MD Juan Enterprises Inc. in Caloocan City, where he examined the company’s facilities and its readiness to manufacture electric tricycles and electric jeepneys, with support from the Department of Science and Technology and other government agencies.
“Nandito tayo sa MD Juan kung saan ay itong planta na ito ay gumagawa pa rin ng mga lumang jeep, ‘yung panahon pa ng giyera. ‘Yan ang kanilang unang naging production dito, ‘yung mga lumang jeep,” Marcos said.
The visit was aimed at checking the equipment and technology that MD Juan still needs to begin the production of locally made electric vehicles.
“Kaya tayo nandito, tinitingnan natin kung ano ‘yung mga kailangan gawin para kaya na nila na makapag-fabricate ng all-Filipino na electric na tricycle at saka electric na jeepney kung sakali dumating sa ganoon,” the President said.
He was briefed on MD Juan’s production automation and quality enhancement initiatives supported by DOST programs, including the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program, and the company’s adoption of modern manufacturing technologies, automation, and robotics.
“Kaya tinitingnan namin ang mga facilities, ano ‘yung nandito na, ano na ‘yung mga kulang, ano pa ‘yung mga kulang na susuportahan ng ating DOST, ng national government para makapaggawa na tayo ng electric vehicle dito sa Pilipinas,” he said.
MD Juan Enterprises Chief Executive Officer Romel T. Juan said the company was founded by his grandfather, Maximino Dionisio Juan, and has been in operation for 60 years.
The company began by producing replacement and restoration parts for American military and civilian jeeps and now serves customers in the United States, Europe, and other international markets.
The President recognized the company’s long experience and capabilities in vehicle manufacturing and said these can help the country develop its own EV manufacturing industry.
“At kinikilala naman itong MD Juan na very… matagal nang nasa trabahong ganito at sila ang nangunguna sa mga ibang teknolohiya na kailangan natin para makapagbuo, makapag-fabricate, makapag-manufacture na tayo ng electric vehicle – lahat dito manggagaling sa Pilipinas,” he added.
He said the next step is to install the additional equipment needed for EV production.
“So the next step is to put in some of the new equipment that is still necessary for the production of the electric vehicle. At alam na namin ‘yung gagawin,” Marcos added.
MD Juan has expressed its readiness to produce electric tricycles for local government units and potentially expand into electric jeepney manufacturing.
The President said the development of locally manufactured EVs could help reduce the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products while supporting jobs and economic stability.
“Alam naman natin ‘yan ang ating mga hangarin para mabawasan ang dependence on petroleum products na nanggagaling sa ibang lugar at sa ganoong paraan ay magiging mas stable ang ating ekonomiya at ang hanapbuhay, lalong-lalo na ‘yung mga kasama natin na nagpapasada,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the country could soon see its own Filipino-made electric vehicle.
“And together with our technical consultants, I believe that we will soon be seeing a Filipino electric vehicle tricycle at maybe down the road, makagawa na tayo ng jeepney,” Marcos added.