Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Negros Occidental, 3rd District) said on Thursday, April 28, that he is proud to be part of the electric vehicles development bill that has now become a law, known as Republic Act 11697.

“I am proud to be part of the Bicameral Conference Committee that consolidated the House and Senate bills on this important subject. As climate change intensifies, we need to transition away from fossil fuels and develop vehicles that utilize other energy sources,” Benitez said.

Benitez was a member of the Bicameral Conference Committee that crafted RA 11697.

RA 11697, a Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI), will serve as a national development plan for the electric vehicles (EV) industry to accelerate the development, commercialization, and utilization of EVs in the country.

The comprehensive roadmap includes four components – EVs and charging stations, manufacturing, research and development, and human resource development.

“The CREVI shall be incorporated in the Philippine Energy Plan and the National Transport Policy,” RA 11697 said.

The law designates the Department of Energy (DOE) as the primary agency tasked with the promotion of the adoption of EVs and the development of charging stations and related equipment.*