The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines on Tuesday backed the pronouncement of the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Finance that the government will provide funding for the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) and ensure the orderly settlement of valid obligations.
EVAP welcomed the government’s assurance that obligations covered by issued and validated tax payment certificates (TPCs) will be settled in a lawful, fiscally responsible and orderly manner.
The statement identified mechanisms under the FY 2025 appropriations and the possible inclusion of remaining validated requirements under the FY 2027 National Expenditure Program.
More significantly, EVAP stressed that the government’s clear direction directly supports the Electric Vehicle Industry Strategy (EVIS) and strengthens investor confidence in the Philippines as a credible and predictable destination for long-term industrial investment.
“This statement is extremely important for EVAP because EVIS depends on a strong automotive manufacturing base,” EVAP president Edmund Araga said. “Electric mobility cannot scale if the underlying ecosystem—vehicle assembly, parts manufacturing and supplier development—is weakened. The assurance from DBM, DTI and DOF reinforces confidence in the Philippines as a serious and reliable partner for long-term EV investments.”
EVAP noted that a competitive local auto industry is essential to expanding EV adoption while supporting domestic value creation, including EV parts and components, charging infrastructure, electrical systems and future battery-related manufacturing.
“By honoring commitments under CARS, the government sends a clear signal that the Philippines can be trusted and that industrial transformation under EVIS will be supported in a structured and responsible manner,” Araga added.
The group also underscored that restoring certainty around CARS obligations helps protect the local supplier ecosystem, many of whose capabilities can be upgraded and redirected toward EV components and systems.
EVAP likewise backed the government’s call for continued dialogue and collaboration, urging stakeholders to use this opportunity to align programs such as CARS and EVIS into a coherent national industrial roadmap, which reinforces investor confidence and keeps the Philippines competitive within ASEAN.
