Japan gives 24 hybrid cars as PHL gov't service vehicles

As part of a campaign to promote energy efficiency and clean air across the country, the Department of Energy (DOE), with funding under Non-Project Grant Aid of the Japan International Cooperation System, is replacing the service vehicles of national government offices with hybrid cars.
 
In a statement on Tuesday, the DOE said it will donate 24 Japan-made Toyota Prius, model 2017 to Philippine government offices.

Officials of the Energy Utilization Management Bureau and Japan’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Kazuhide Ishikawa, will turn over the hybrid Toyotas to the beneficiaries on Friday.
 
The acquisition of the Toyota Prius is funded by the Non-Project Grant Aid (NPGA) of the Japan International Cooperation System.

The hybrid car "emits lower carbon emission. The hybrid car has an optimized fuel engine and electric motor to attain highest energy efficiency,” DOE noted.

The beneficiaries include the Office of the President, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Transportation, Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Trade and Industries (DTI), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Economic Development Authority, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine National Police.

Eight hybrid cars will also be given to government offices in Region 8, including the DENR, DTI, DOST, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Information Agency, Land Transportation Office and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in support to the economic and social recovery of communities devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda.
 
“This Japan government-aided grant will jumpstart our drive towards our call to action to our fellow public servants to increase their use or patronize energy efficient technologies, including their official vehicles. We have to be the role model in this cause, so our people can look up to us and follow our lead,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said. — Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News