Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. During His Visit to the Manufacturing and Assembly Plant of Sazgar Philippines, Inc.

Thank you to our DOTr Secretary, Secretary Vince Dizon; Her Excellency, the Ambassador of Pakistan to the Philippines, Her Excellency Asima Rabbani; the officers and personnel of Sazgar Philippines Incorporated led by President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Muhammad Fahim; fellow workers in government; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

Good morning.

If you ask any Filipino how did you get home last night, the answer will always be 90 percent of the time: “Nag-tricycle ako.” The tricycle takes our children to school, our vendors to the market, our workers to the highway. It is how most of the country gets from the barangay to the rest of the world.

Today, that tricycle is being built here in Biñan, and more and more of it will run on electricity.

The inauguration of Sazgar Philippines, Incorporated’s (SPI) Manufacturing and Assembly Plant marks an important step in our journey to strengthen our country’s manufacturing sector and advancing the transition to cleaner, more sustainable transportation.

This investment reflects what we can achieve when the government and the private sector work together towards a common purpose.

When we create an environment where businesses can grow, Filipino workers develop their skills, local industries thrive, and we lay a stronger foundation for our country’s progress.

SPI’s first manufacturing plant in the Philippines is designed to assemble approximately 12,000 three-wheeled vehicles annually, covering both electrical and internal combustion engine.

This plant qualified under our Strategic Investment Priority Plan because it adds real value locally. At least a quarter of the value of every unit, and the BOI projects even more. That is the kind of investment that we want. Not just companies that sell to Filipinos, but companies that make things with Filipinos.

Its initial production mix is projected at 60 percent electric motorcycles and 40 percent ICE motorcycles, with the share of electric units expected to increase in line with market demand and industry development.

Filipinos have built tricycles for decades. This plant adds new capacity and a hub for the ASEAN region, with Filipino workers at its heart.

In fact, it will employ Filipinos here in Laguna while creating opportunities for local companies – supplying batteries, glass, seat foam, upholstery, rubber, lubricants to the plant.

For our tricycle drivers, this means something very practical. An electrical three-wheeler that runs up to a 100 to 210 kilometers on a single charge can cover a full day of trips without a single liter of gasoline.

I was asking about I was asking about the average distance traveled by the tricycles, and in an urban setting, it is about 90 kilometers every day. And, in the provinces, it is about 110/120. Now, with the two options, with the different batteries, that is easily covered by one charge. And, furthermore, I understand that the full charge from zero to full charge takes six to eight hours and it is plugged in. So, it is very convenient.

Mas mababang gastos sa gasolina, mas malaki ang maiuuwi sa ating mga pamilya.

For the country, every vehicle that runs on electricity means a little less dependence on imported fuel.

And that is why this is a partnership I am particularly proud of. Sazgar has been building vehicles in Pakistan for over three decades. When it chose its first home outside of Pakistan and its hub for all of Southeast Asia, it chose the Philippines. It placed its confidence in our country. And at the same time, this company is 60 percent Filipino-owned.

So, to Sazgar: I offer both our thanks and the challenge. At present, many of your parts still come from abroad. I ask you to grow your Filipino supply chain year after year. They are anticipating that they will be able to produce all the parts locally. In other words, it will be 100% locally manufactured parts within the year or so. So, that every tricycle that will leave the plant is made by Filipinos. The government will work hand in hand with you to make that happen.

To the workers of this plant: What you build here will carry millions of Filipinos every day. Build it well, it will serve Filipino communities and commuters across our entire country.

Yet we know the value of this investment extends beyond the vehicles that are assembled here. On a broader context, the Philippines is keen on transitioning towards electrical vehicles. Electric mobility presents an opportunity to advance our national priorities while preparing our industries for the demands of the future.

Consistent with the comprehensive roadmap for the electric vehicle industry, we are working to strengthen our energy security, encourage innovation and attract investment in these emerging technologies.

Efforts such as these, bring us closer to our target of achieving 50% EV fleet share by 2040.We are pushing to build more EVs here at home so that cleaner, modern transport is well within the reach of every Filipino.

Through the Electrical Vehicle Industry Development Act, we have provided a national framework for promoting EV adoption and developing the Philippine EV industry. Along with these, we encourage the public sector to help drive this transition.

In fact, we have directed all government agencies to prioritize the purchase of EVs or consider EVs when renting motor vehicles. Meanwhile, the DOE, the Department of Energy, continues to expand the country’s EV charging ecosystem through the accreditation and regulation of EV charging stations or EVCs and their providers.

As of 2026 August, the DOE has reported over 420 accredited EVCs providers, discovers operators, service providers, and suppliers. These initiatives seek to build an industry that serves the needs of our people while creating greater value for the Philippine economy.

So, to our stakeholders: Invest in the Philippines. Build partnerships with our suppliers. Explore opportunities to expand manufacturing activities in our shores.

Through our collective efforts, we can shape an EV industry that is competitive, innovative, and capable of creating lasting opportunities for generations of Filipinos.

Together, let us shape a Bagong Pilipinas where Filipino talent drives industrial progress; where investments create meaningful opportunities; and where the fruits of economic growth reach communities across the country.

Thank you, and congratulations. Mabuhay po kayo!

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