SONA 2026: Marcos eyes shift to electric public transport

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday pushed for a transition to electric public transportation as he called on the electric vehicle (EV) industry to support the government’s transport modernization efforts.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos cited existing electric public transport initiatives, including the Love Bus and an articulated electric bus set to be deployed in Davao City.

“Ang M/B (motor banca) Dalaray naman, na pinasinayaan natin kamakailan lamang, ay isa ring EV, na nabuo sa pagtutulungan ng UP at DOST,” Marcos said.

(The M/B Dalaray, which we inaugurated recently, is also an EV developed through the joint efforts of the University of the Philippines and the Department of Science and Technology)

“Sa darating na panahon, ang ganitong electric ferry boat ang gagamitin sa Pasig River Ferry Service, mula Pinagbuhatan sa Pasig hanggang Escolta sa Maynila,” he added, referring to a river route spanning an estimated 15 kilometers.

(In the future, this type of electric ferry boat will be used for the Pasig River Ferry Service, running from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig to Escolta in Manila.)

Marcos said the government aims to have electric vehicles account for 50% of all vehicles in the country by 2040.

He also cited the government’s removal of tariffs on EVs until 2028, a move aimed at lowering prices and supporting the country’s transition to clean energy.

“This clean and green policy is two-pronged: it shall also spur growth of our domestic local industries across the EV value chain, specifically those involved in the vehicle assembly and manufacturing of batteries and related spare parts,” Marcos said.

The President also pledged to ensure that the implementation of the public transportation modernization program remains humane, manageable, and fair. — MCG, GMA News