Various government agencies yesterday received an initial batch of 24 Toyota Prius sedans each from the Department of Energy (DOE), provided through a Japanese grant, as part of efforts to promote the use of alternative fuel for vehicles.
Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said a 500-million-yen (about P250 million) grant from the Japanese government provided for a total of 85 units.
Cusi said the 24 units were all hybrid vehicles—which could run on either gasoline or electricity (battery-powered) —worth P2.9 million each, including P1.2 million in tax.
The provision of donated alternative fuel vehicles to the state agencies “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 emission,” 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,” he added.
The energy chief added that the remaining 61 units of the Prius, which would be delivered later, will be electric vehicles instead of hybrid models.
Recipients of the hybrid models include the Office of the President, Departments of Interior and Local Government, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Budget and Management, Transportation, Tourism, Trade and Industry, Environment and Natural Resources, Science and Technology, as well as the National Economic Development Authority and the Philippine National Police.
Eight hybrid units went to Region 8 offices of agencies involved in emergency response operations and rehabilitation.
These are the Philippine Information Agency, Office of Civil Defense, Land Transportation Office, Environmental Management Bureau, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Trade and Industry.
Cusi said 45 units of the electric Prius were intended for use as patrol cars of PNP offices in Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar.
He said the recipient agencies were asked to help the DOE in its conduct of research, performance testing and promotion for the local adoption of alternative fuel vehicles.
“We give distinct focus to the promotion and mainstreaming of efficient, emerging and advanced energy solutions to manage our energy use and consumption levels—from households to energy-intensive sectors,” Cusi said.
“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,” he said.