German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft fí¼r Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) have embarked on pr
ojects that will replace jeepneys and buses run with fossil fuel to those run by electricity.
These form part of the German government’s 50 projects with a total volume of more than EUR 88 million (around P5.2 billion) in the areas of climate, environment and biodiversity.
The Jeepney+ NAMA (Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action) project, which aimed to establish a modern, sustainable and climate-friendly transport system in Philippine cities strives to modernize the jeepney fleet and reduce the share of diesel-powered vehicles by 22 percent by 2026.
This means replacing them with electric jeepneys and public transport vehicles that follow the Euro 4 emission standard.
The project also helps craft systems that will make public transport more efficient for its users. Institutional reorganization and planning will also help in fully modernizing the country’s jeepney fleet.
Since 2014, GIZ has been implementing projects that aim to transform the public transport system in the country — a key sector for reducing emissions in the Philippines.
Through another GIZ-powered project called TRANSfer, similar initiatives are being implemented to also modernize the Philippines’ bus systems.
“The transport sector —in Germany and in the Philippines — is key when it comes to reducing emissions. Focusing on public transportation benefits especially the lower-income segments of society and has positive and sustainable long-term effects,” said German ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel
