With the ultimate goal of reducing reliance on foreign fuel.
Last Tuesday, August 25, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. visited the facilities of MD Juan Enterprises Inc. in Caloocan City, checking the company’s readiness to manufacture electric vehicles with support from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and other national government agencies.
There, he also underscored the government’s push to develop locally manufactured electric vehicles (EVs) and strengthen the country’s domestic manufacturing industry.
“Nandito tayo sa MD Juan kung saan ay itong planta na ito ay gumagawa pa rin ng mga lumang jeep, ‘yung panahon pa ng giyera. ‘Yan ang kanilang unang naging production dito, ‘yung mga lumang jeep,” the President noted the company’s origins.
According to MD Juan Enterprises Chief Executive Officer Romel Juan said the company has been operating since 1967 and was originally founded by his grandfather, Maximino Dionisio Juan.
The company began by producing replacement and restoration parts for American military and civilian jeeps and now serves customers in the United States, Europe, and other international markets.
Marcos continued by disclosing that the visit aims to determine the equipment needed by the company to produce locally-made EVs. “Pero ngayon, kaya tayo nandito, tinitingnan natin kung ano ‘yung mga kailangan gawin para kaya na nila na makapag-fabricate ng all-Filipino na electric na tricycle at saka electric na jeepney kung sakali dumating sa ganoon,” the President shared..
The President was briefed on MD Juan’s production automation and quality enhancement initiatives that are being supported by DOST programs like the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) and the company’s adoption of modern manufacturing technologies, automation, and robotics.
President Marcos recognized the company’s long experience and capabilities in vehicle manufacturing, saying these can help the country develop its own EV manufacturing industry.
“At kinikilala naman itong MD Juan na very… matagal nang nasa trabahong ganito at sila ang nangunguna sa mga ibang teknolohiya na kailangan natin para makapagbuo, makapag-fabricate, makapag-manufacture na tayo ng electric vehicle – lahat dito manggagaling sa Pilipinas,” the Chief Executive said.
Meanwhile, Juan highlighted the company’s role in preserving the jeep’s Filipino heritage and its distinction as a Filipino manufacturer supplying jeep restoration products to the global market. “Pilipinas lang ang gumagawa ng mga ganitong produkto worldwide. We’re very proud of that, we’re very proud to be dollar producers for the country,” he said.
Among the technologies showcased during the President’s visit was MD Juan’s powder coating facility—established with support from DOST’s SETUP program—which provides better paint adhesion and corrosion protection than the company’s previous manual wet-painting process.
The company is also looking to adopt electrodeposition (ED) coating, which can automate the painting process and improve the quality and consistency of vehicle bodies.
“Sa ED coating, ilulubog na namin,” Juan said, explaining that the technology would replace the current manual spray-painting process.
Moreover, MD Juan also expressed its readiness to produce electric tricycles for local government units (LGUs), with the potential of expanding into electric jeepney manufacturing.
Hence, the President said the next step is to install the additional equipment needed for EV production. “At alam na namin ‘yung gagawin,” the Chief Executive underscored.
Marcos also said the development of locally manufactured EVs could help reduce the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products and support jobs and economic stability.
“Alam naman natin ‘yan ang ating mga hangarin para mabawasan ang dependence on petroleum products na nanggagaling sa ibang lugar at sa ganoong paraan ay magiging mas stable ang ating ekonomiya at ang hanapbuhay, lalong-lalo na ‘yung mga kasama natin na nagpapasada,” said the President, who also expressed optimism that the country could soon see its own Filipino-made electric vehicle.
“And together with our technical consultants, I believe that we will soon be seeing a Filipino electric vehicle tricycle at maybe down the road, makagawa na tayo ng jeepney.”
DOST’S E-MOBILITY PUSH
Meanwhile, the DOST, led by Secretary Renato Solidum, is pushing for e-mobility as a clean, efficient, and sustainable solution for the foreign fuel dependency of the Philippines, which imports majority of its oil supply from sources like countries in West Asia—a vulnerability that was seen at the height of the US-Iran War at the start of the year.
Solidum said that the country is targeting to have at least 10 percent of the transport systems to be electric by 2040.
“By sharing information and demonstrating these technologies (e-vehicles), and encouraging their adoption, we help bring the benefits of science and innovation closer to communities,” he said.
Also part of this initiative are the recently launched all-electric e-Tranvia in Intramuros, the MB Dalaray Electric Ferry in the Pasig River, e-boat in Manila, e-Jeepneys, hybrid electric train on the tracks of the Philippine National Railways, C-trike, and e-trike in various regions across the country.
These technologies were developed through various partnerships with local government units, DOST agencies, and higher education institutions such as Cagayan State University and University of the Philippines Diliman.
These were also presented at the recent Sustainability Expo 2026 (SUSTEX 2026) in Taguig City.
EVIS PROGRAM
After placing the emphasis on speeding up the use of electric vehicles (EVs) as part of the government’s clean energy program to help build a greener and more sustainable future in his State of the Nation Address, last July 29, President Marcos signed Executive Order (EO) No. 121.
The said directive establishes the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS) Program, which provides fiscal incentives for local manufacturers of hybrid and battery electric passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and their parts and components.
This program also aims to expand domestic EV production, create quality jobs, reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, and position the Philippines as a regional automotive manufacturing hub.
“The EVIS Program shall provide time-bound, targeted, performance-based, and transparent fiscal support to encourage strategic investments in domestic EV manufacturing,” the order read.
According to the EO, the qualified manufacturers may register up to two EV models and receive two types of incentives: the Fixed Investment Support (FIS) to help establish or expand manufacturing facilities, and Production Volume Incentives (PVI) to encourage local production.
The EVIS Program also has a maximum incentive ceiling of PHP60 billion, with up to PHP15 billion available for each enrolled EV model, subject to the annual budget process.
