By Cheng Ordoñez
MISAMIS ORIENTAL –Former Ilocos Governor Luis Chavit Singson is releasing 40 units of his LCSMGC’s manufactured electric vehicles (e-vehicle)s to the Liga ng mga Transportation at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP), headed by Orlando Marquez, Sr, its national president, who will deploy all the units for free rides in Metro Manila.
Marque said the units were already issued certificate of Compliance (CoC) by LTFRB chairman Atty. Vigor Mendosa II.
“What we lack is the Permit to Travel to be issued by the Department of transportation (DOTr),” Marquez said. “If this will be given, we will deploy all the 40 units for free rides in metro manila,” Maequez told the Daily Tribune over phone interviere, Friday, March 27, 2026., as our response to increasing cost of fuel.
Earlier, Singgson thru Marquez told Mindanao cooperatives and corporations that local electric vehicles (EVs) produced by LCS manufacturing Group of Companies’ has already manufactured units and put up facilities,now accessible with dedicated showroom and service centers opening this week, the units designed as Pambansang Pampublikong Sasakyan ng Pilipinas launched by Mrs. Imelda Edralin Marcos in 1974, which patent design is now approved internationally under the name of Mr. Orlando Marquez, Sr.
The facilies stock e-tricycles, e-motorcycles, and the first batch of e-jeepneys allocated for transport cooperatives and corporations in various regions, Marquez announced. Pricing remains consistent with national rates: e-motorcycles start at ₱69,000, e-tricycles at ₱229,000, and e-jeepneys at ₱1.2 million. The same zero-down-payment, interest-free financing packages are offered to qualified drivers and transport cooperatives and corporations, with repayment terms of up to 3 years.
According to LTOP National President Rolando Marquez, Sr., the designer of the units, several local groups have already placed orders. Among them is the Cagayan de Oro Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (COJODA) has already reserved 10 e-jeepneys to replace old units plying routes to Tagoloan and Opol, while a cooperative from Iligan City has ordered 5 e-tricycles for last-mile delivery services.
Charging infrastructure is also being expanded to support adoption. Two new public charging stations are operational at the showroom and at the Limketkai Center parking area, with plans to install 8 more across Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, and Lanao del Norte by the end of June 2026. The DOE is providing partial subsidies for charging point installations in the region.
Free training on EV maintenance and operation is being conducted weekly at the showroom for interested buyers.
Bank loan procedures will be applied for dropping-and-substitution applicants, who can avail of the government subsidy, while non dropping applicants will have to allocate downpay,ments for the units,
Financing Application Process for Chavit Singson’s e-vehicles for in Mindanao is as follow:
* Zero-down-payment for dropping-and-substitution applicants; interest-free financing for locally produced electric vehicles is open to individual drivers, transport operators, and cooperatives in Mindanao, with a straightforward application process designed to be accessible.
• Here are the key requirements and steps:
Eligibility Criteria:
– Must be a Filipino citizen, at least 21 years old and not over 65 years old upon loan maturity
– For individuals: Valid professional driver’s license (for e-jeepneys/e-tricycles) or regular driver’s license (for e-motorcycles), with proof of income or livelihood
– For cooperatives/operators: Valid business registration, SEC/DTI papers, and list of active routes (if applicable)
– Must be a resident of Northern Mindanao for at least 1 year
Required Documents
– Duly accomplished application form (available at the Masterson Avenue showroom or downloadable via the official EV facility website)
– Valid government-issued ID (passport, driver’s license, UMID, or PRC ID)
– Proof of residence (utility bill, rental contract, or barangay certification)
– Proof of income (payslips, bank statements, or barangay certification of livelihood)
– For transport units: Proposed route plan (for e-jeepneys/e-tricycles) or business plan (for delivery vehicles)
Application Steps
1. Submit requirements in person at the Cagayan de Oro showroom or via online portal
2. Initial assessment completed within 3 working days
3. Interview and validation – For individual applicants, a brief in-person or online interview; for cooperatives, a site visit may be conducted
4. Approval notification sent via SMS or email within 5 working days of assessment
5. Sign agreement and vehicle turnover – Once approved, sign the financing contract and schedule vehicle pick-up or delivery
Marquez explained: Repayment is structured in monthly installments over
