Reported on June 30, 2026, Philippine Trade Secretary said the review of the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA) is underway, with the government hoping to have the agreement signed by November.
The review started following the Philippine President's state visit to Japan in May 2026. The review s

Reported on May 31, 2026, Shanghai Launch Automotive Technology Co. Ltd. (Launch Design) is exploring partnerships with Philippine firms to support the development of a local EV brand.
According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), both sides met in Shanghai, China, on May 23 to discuss potential collaborat

Reported on April 13, 2026, the Philippine government aims to complete all remaining obligations under its automotive incentive program by 2027, the Department of Trade and Industry said. Officials are currently processing tax payment certificates (TPCs) for participants in the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Str

Reported on April 10, 2026, the Philippine government is preparing a PHP 60 billion incentive program under the proposed Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS) to support local production of electrified vehicles, the Department of Trade and Industry said. The measure is expected to be finalized before the State o

Announced on April 6, 2026, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation revealed plans to join the Philippine government’s Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS). Subject to approval, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) aims to begin producing a new hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) at its Santa Rosa, Laguna plant aro

Reported on January 7, 2026, the Philippine Parts Makers Association (PPMA) warned that the President’s decision to veto funding for the CARS and RACE programs could further undermine the vehicle manufacturing sector, which is already fragile, casting doubt on the future of local car assembly.
PPMA said low productio

Reported on January 6, 2026, the Philippine government has withdrawn financial support for local automotive manufacturing after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vetoed funding for both the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program and its replacement, the Revitalizing the Automotive Industry for Compe

On October 8, 2025, the Philippines’ Department of Energy (DOE) clarified that owners of electric vehicles do not need additional certification to qualify for the number coding exemption on Metro Manila roads. This statement responds to a recent advisory from the Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group, which

Announced on September 9, 2025, the Philippines’ Department of Energy (DOE) has rolled out new guidelines establishing a standardized system for classifying electrified vehicles (xEV), a move aimed at advancing the shift to cleaner transport.
Taking effect on September 20, 2025, Circular DC2025-09-0015 replaces earli

Reported on August 15, 2025, electric vehicle (EV) adoption is accelerating in the Philippines, supported by government policies aimed at modernizing transportation.
Sales are rising steadily, driven by incentives such as tariff exemptions on EVs and components for five years, as well as programs modernizing public t

On July 22, U.S. President Trump said the U.S. has “concluded” a trade deal with the Philippines that includes a 19% tariff on goods imported from the southeast Asian country.
The Philippines will not impose tariffs on U.S. goods as part of the deal, according to Trump, who praised the country for what he described a

Reported on July 8, 2025, pickup trucks in the Philippines are no longer exempt from excise tax (starting July 1), following the implementation of the Capital Market Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA). 
This law amends the National Internal Revenue Code to remove pickups from the list of exempt vehicles, which now only

Announced on June 23, 2025, the Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) projects that its newly approved Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS) could create around 680,000 jobs and attract PHP 120 billion in capital investments, generating PHP 11.4 trillion in economic output. 
The strategy, awaiting

On June 11, 2025, the Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) approved the Board of Investments’ draft Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS), which will be submitted to the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) on June 13, with approval expected in July.
Part of the Comprehensive Roadmap for the EV I

Reported on May 11, 2025, the Philippine government was reportedly considering offering reduced tariffs on imported motor vehicles as part of its negotiations with the United States to lower reciprocal tariffs on Philippine exports.
A former trade undersecretary, now a Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PI

Reported on April 1, 2025, the Philippines' Department of Energy (DOE) is preparing to launch new regulatory initiatives and public consultations to ensure a safe, efficient, and sustainable EV charging network.
The Implementing Guidelines on Obligations of EV Charging Station Providers, Requirements, Specifications,

Reported on March 28, 2025, the Philippines’ Board of Investments (BOI) revealed that the joint administrative order (JAO) for the vehicle manufacturing incentives program will be released in April.
Previously, the BOI said the JAO for the implementation of the Revitalizing the Automotive Industry for Competitiveness

Reported on February 20, 2025, the Philippines’ BOI revealed that a joint administrative order (JAO) for the implementation of the PHP 9 billion incentives program for local vehicle manufacturing is expected to be completed by mid-March. Applications will then be open as early as April.
Currently, a JAO is being craf

Announced on February 6, 2025, Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (MMC) has recently discussed the company’s expansion plan with the Philippines’ President.
The PHP 7-billion investment plan in the next 5 years includes adding a new production model at its Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) plant facility in Laguna. Wit

Reported on January 31, 2025, the Philippine Parts Makers Association (PPMA) is calling on the government to implement policies that will help revive the local auto parts industry, which is said to be in “survival mode.”
PPMA President mentioned Indonesia’s local content requirement (LCR), believing that this kind of