Marcos hopes German firm Bosch will help in PUV modernization

PRAGUE - President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is hopeful that German firm Bosch could help the Philippines in its Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

While in Berlin, Marcos met with Vijay Ratnaparkhe, regional president of Bosch for Southeast Asia and Bosch Singapore managing director, as he welcomed the firm's venture in Asia's transportation industry.

The Philippines, meanwhile, pushes for the modernization of its public utility vehicles and the transition towards the use of electric vehicles and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

''Right now, that’s where we are concentrating because the conversion from petrol to hydrogen is also feasible,'' Marcos said.

“The running cost per kilometer of a new modern public utility vehicle is much lower than the old diesel jeepneys, taxis, and tricycles that we have. So yes, it is the transition that is always the difficult process," he added.

So far, the consolidation rate for the PUVMP has reached 80%, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said.

LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III said that in the National Capital Region (NCR), around 96% of active jeepneys have already consolidated.

Bosch officials said that looking at the passenger vehicle segment, hydrogen is more efficient in larger vehicles than small ones.

Marcos also welcomed Bosch’s research and development initiatives, hoping that the company would bring new technology to the Philippines.

“The R&D has begun already and would be an advantage. We hope that you will bring that technology to the Philippines, transfer the technology to us,'' Marcos said.

Bosch is a German multinational engineering and technology company headquartered in Gerlingen, Germany. 

Founded by Robert Bosch in Stuttgart in 1886, its operations are present in four business sectors, including mobility, industrial technology, consumer goods and energy, and building technology. — VBL, GMA Integrated News