January 13, 2024
The Central Pangasinan branch of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) is championing the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) to foster clean energy and enhance air quality. This initiative was highlighted during the recent inauguration of an electric vehicle charging station at SM Center Mall, led by Cenro ecosystem management officer Ma Angelica Esteban.
Esteban emphasized the significant role of EVs in reducing air pollution, noting their zero-tailpipe emissions as a key factor in improving air quality. This initiative aligns with the Philippines’ larger environmental goals, especially in light of the country’s air pollution challenges. The 2022 World Air Quality Report by IQAir placed the Philippines 69th in terms of air pollution among 131 surveyed countries, with Taguig identified as the nation’s most polluted city.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, as reiterated in his second State of the Nation Address, is dedicated to global decarbonization efforts. Esteban referenced the administration’s commitment to reducing the country’s carbon footprint through a transition from fossidl fuels to renewable energy sources. She recalled a pandemic-era analysis that showed a 17% decrease in daily global carbon emissions and a 60% reduction in the concentration of greenhouse gas emissions, attributed to reduced transportation activities and an increase in walking and biking.
Esteban also highlighted the growing global trend of promoting electric vehicles as a crucial technology to diminish oil consumption and address climate change. The increased mainstream acceptance of EVs, supported by the availability of charging stations, not only benefits current owners but also encourages wider adoption of this sustainable technology.
Eileen Delos Santos, the mall manager of SM Center Dagupan, expressed the mall’s dedication to supporting government initiatives aimed at improving air quality and tackling climate change. The newly launched charging station, operational from 10 am to 9 pm daily, is available free of charge to electric vehicle owners. This facility marks the second of its kind in Pangasinan, following another installation in Urdaneta City.
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