Council urges gas operators to install EV charging stations

CEBU, Philippines — All gasoline station operators in Cebu City are being encouraged to install and maintain at least two electric vehicle charging stations on their premises, in line with Republic Act No. 11697, the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Edgardo Labella II, however, makes it clear that this is not a strict mandate but an encouragement.

In the approved resolution, Labella also emphasized that the measure aligns with the mandate of Republic Act No. 11697 (Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act) and its implementing rules and regulations.

The measure further emphasizes Cebu’s worsening traffic congestion, increasing vehicular volume, and air quality concerns as urgent reasons to promote cleaner transportation.

It also highlights potential business benefits for station operators, noting that EV charging could bring “increased foot traffic, dwell-time patronage, and potential partnerships with EV charging technology providers.”

To support compliance, the resolution directs the City Treasurer’s Office, the City Planning and Development Office, and the Cebu City Transportation Office, in coordination with DOE Region VII and DTI Region VII, “to provide technical guidance, streamline permitting requirements, and extend appropriate assistance to gasoline station operators intending to comply with this initiative.”

This encouragement comes at a time when the country, along with the rest of the world, is struggling with the effects of the global fuel crisis triggered by the 2026 conflict in the Middle East, which disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and sent fuel prices soaring.

Cebu officials have repeatedly cited the volatility of fuel costs as a pressing concern.

Nationally, the Department of Energy has already announced plans to reduce the six-month permitting period for EV charging stations to as little as 10 to 20 days through a joint issuance with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Anti-Red Tape Authority.

DOE Director Patrick Aquino said the country currently has about 1,600 charging stations, mostly in Luzon, with a target of 7,000 by 2028. He also projected that registered EVs could reach 100,000 by the end of 2026.

By incorporating the requirements of Republic Act No. 11697 into local policy and directing city offices to assist operators, Cebu City is said to position itself as a regional leader in electric mobility. — /IHM (FREEMAN)