Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi and Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa today turned over 24 units of advanced hybrid vehicles to various national government agencies (NGAs).
During the ceremonial turnover held at the DOE’s headquarters on Friday (19 May), Cusi said: “We give distinct focus to the promotion and mainstreaming of efficient, emerging and advanced energy solutions to manage our energy utilization and consumption levels—from the households all the way to the energy-intensive sectors.”
“This program aims to promote the local use and patronage of efficient and environment-friendly alternative fuel vehicles, by deploying demo units and consequently developing familiarity with their operation, maintenance and service,” Cusi pointed out.
The Energy Secretary said the donation of alternative fuel vehicles to different government agencies nationwide "would help trigger a paradigm shift in the mindset of the public so that we would be able to witness a dramatic reduction in both our fuel consumption and carbon emissions."
Underscoring the responsibility of recipients, Cusi said, “We entrust the 24 units of highly fuel-efficient 2017 model Hybrid Toyota Prius to our partner agencies, which are fortunate to act as government’s veritable endorsers of clean technology and harbingers of the future of passenger transport.”
The Government of Japan gave the Philippines a grant amounting to JPY500 million for the procurement and delivery of next generation vehicles (i.e., hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles) under the Japan Non-Project Grant Aid (NPGA) with the DOE as its implementing agency.
For this tranche, recipients of the Japan-made hybrid cars are the Office of the President, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Finance, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Transportation, Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Economic Development Authority, Department of Science and Technology, and the Philippine National Police.
As agreed upon, the NGA beneficiaries will be assisting the DOE in its conduct of research, performance testing and promotion for the local adoption of alternative fuel vehicles.
On the other hand, another 8 units will be distributed to the Region 8 offices of national government agencies involved in emergency response operations and rehabilitation, such as the Philippine Information Agency, Office of Civil Defense, Department of Transportation – Land Transportation Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau, Department of Interior and Local Government – Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Trade and Industry.
The turnover ceremony of the vehicles for Region 8 is scheduled on 25 May 2017. Another 45 units of 2017 model of Toyota Prius will be used as patrol cars by PNP Region 8, particularly in the provinces of Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
RECIPIENT OF HYBRID CARS: Through a ceremonial car key, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa turned over 24 units of the Toyota Prius (2017 Model) to the representatives of various national government agencies under Japan's Non-Project Grant Aid (NPGA) which funded the acquisition of the next generation vehicles (i.e., hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles) that releases lower carbon emission. In photo, receiving a hybrid car in behalf of their government agencies during this morning's turn over by DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi and the Japanese Ambassador (center) are (L-R) PNP PCSupt. Philip Gil Philips, DILG Asec. Ricojudge Echiverri, NEDA OIC-Usec. Greg L. Pineda, DBM Usec. Agnes Joy Bailen, DTI Usec. Rowel S. Barba, Deputy Executive Secretary Michael P. Ong, DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Kazuhide Ishikawa, DOST Usec. Carol M. Yorobe, DFA Usec. Linglingay F. Lacanlale, DOT Usec. Benito Bengson, DOTR Usec. Anneli R. Lontoc, DENR Asec. Jesus Enrico Moises Salazar, PIA Deputy Director General Gregorio Angelo Villar.
HYBRID CAR TEST DRIVE: Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi with Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa as his passenger, had a test drive of one of the 24 units of the donated Toyota Prius (2017 Model) received by various national government agencies for the promotion of fuel-efficient and hybrid vehicles in the country. The hybrid car is part of the Japan's Non-Project Grant Aid (NPGA), which funded the acquisition of the next generation vehicles (i.e., hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles), which releases lower carbon emission.
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