MANILA, Philippines--A group of local auto parts makers announced Wednesday that its Philippine Utility Vehicle (PhUV) campaign would focus on the promotion of the electric jeepney.

Jesus S. Bautista, secretary general of the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines, said in an interview that the group recently signed a memorandum of agreement with the Green Renewable Independent Power Producers (GRIPP) to produce 44 e-jeepneys.

Led by Greenpeace International, GRIPP has secured foreign funding for some 50 units of the electric jeepneys that would be distributed to local government units.

Under its Climate Friendly Cities program, GRIPP has so far turned over six e-jeepneys brought from China to Makati, which received two units, and Bacolod, which got four.

In 2007, in a "desperate move" to revive the local auto parts making industry, MVPMAP designed, developed and launched a prototype of the PhUV that was intended for small and medium enterprises.

But Bautista said the project evolved into the e-PhUV because of problems encountered with the prototype's China-made engine.

"This project has a better future as the e-PhUV since such a vehicle will not rely on fossil fuel for power," he said. "Also, there is a ready market for the e-jeepney."

Bautista said MVPMAP, has decided to design "a truly Pinoy jeepney" reminiscent of what has long been a Philippine icon.

He added that MVPMAP members would get their first glimpse of the e-PhUV prototype during its general membership meeting on May 29 at the Laguna Technopark.

Bautista said the original PhUV prototype was now a test vehicle for MVPMAP's advocacy for alternative fuels.

"The original diesel engine has been replaced with a gasoline engine that was retrofitted with an LPG kit," he said. "We are testing how to bring this to popular use, but most of MVPMAP resources is being dedicated to the e-PhUV."

MVPMAP said the PhUV has a high percentage of value-added local labor and parts to counter the effects of the increasing influx of imported completely built up units.

The group said that increasing CBU imports was dampening demand for locally made parts.

"Some MVPMAP members had to close shop as a result," Bautista said. "Those that are still in business are operating at only about 40 percent of their rated plant capacities."