Davao Goes EV Mode: City Hall Starts Swapping Gas Guzzlers for Electric Units

Davao City is moving toward a more electric future after the local government confirmed it is buying EVs for its official fleet. The plan marks a clear shift away from fuel-dependent vehicles habang ramdam pa rin ang epekto ng oil price pressure sa buong bansa.

According to the Manila Bulletin report, City Information Office head Harvey Lanticse said Mayor Sebastian Duterte had already directed the city in 2025 to begin planning the purchase of electric vehicles. Procurement work has now started, meaning this is no longer just a concept on paper.

Lanticse said 54 electric vehicles are currently being procured, including multipurpose units and disaster response vehicles. The deliveries are expected to arrive in batches this year, and the city said future purchases will increasingly favor electric units instead of diesel-powered ones.

City officials said the move also lines up with the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, which requires at least five percent of government and private fleets to be electric. Davao is framing the switch as both an environmental move and a practical way to soften the impact of high fuel prices on daily operations.

The city government also said it is stepping up food security measures while the fuel crisis continues, including inventory work and coordination with farmers and cooperatives. So for Davao, this is not just about bagong sasakyan — it is part of a wider push to stay greener, more efficient, and a little more crisis-ready.

Source: Manila Bulletin