The Davao City Council has approved on third and final reading an ordinance aimed at encouraging the use and development of electric vehicles (EVs) by providing incentives to businesses and individuals engaged in the industry.
The measure, authored by Councilor Temujin “Tek” Ocampo, chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, seeks to support sustainable transportation initiatives and align local policies with Republic Act No. 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA).
Under the ordinance, incentives will be extended to EV manufacturers, dealers, distributors, charging station operators, battery recycling facilities, spare parts suppliers, and both private and government EV users operating within Davao City.
The ordinance states that the city government aims to promote electric vehicles as an environmentally friendly mode of transportation while also ensuring the proper disposal, recycling, and repurposing of EV batteries and electronic components.
It also encourages the establishment of charging infrastructure to support the growing adoption of electric mobility in the city.
One of the key provisions of the measure is the grant of local tax incentives for qualified EV-related enterprises.
“All eligible business enterprises are entitled to tax holidays up to a maximum of six years and other applicable fees and incentives,” the ordinance stated.
Qualified businesses may also receive exemptions from Mayor’s Permit fees, licenses, and other local charges, except for fees related to building permits, garbage collection, sanitary inspections, electrical inspections, and similar regulatory requirements.
The ordinance specified that applications for incentives will undergo evaluation by the Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC) and will require approval from the Davao City Investment Incentive Board (DCIIB).
The approved measure likewise establishes the Electric Vehicle Monitoring Committee (EVMC), which will oversee coordination and policy recommendations for the implementation of the ordinance.
The committee will be chaired by the city mayor, while the head of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) will serve as vice chairperson.
Its members will include representatives from various local and national government agencies, as well as stakeholders from the business sector and non-government organizations.
Among the agencies represented are the City Legal Office, City Treasurer’s Office, City Engineer’s Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Energy (DOE), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO).
Ocampo said the ordinance is expected to support Davao City’s transition toward cleaner and more energy-efficient transportation systems while attracting investments in electric mobility and related industries.
