21 August 2011
Soon, a newly refurbished electric power-driven shuttle van will be a regular sight for employees, trainees and guests alike as it quietly cuts through the lanes within the complex of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Taguig City.?
Built no less than by TESDA’s skilled mechanics, the van will be used to ferry employees and guests from one office to the other within the sprawling TESDA complex.?
The e-vehicle considered an eco-friendly transport will showcase the agency’s response towards a clean, green future for all.?
Born out of its partnership with the ECOS Environmental Foundation Inc., the e- van was produced from a non-serviceable Mitsubishi L300 diesel van donated by Malacanang.?
A soft launch of the e nine-seater e-vehicle along TESDA complex is scheduled on Monday, August 22 at 10:30 a.m. simultaneous with the start of the week-long celebration of the agency’s 17th anniversary.?
“We had planned of putting up an integrated training of mechanics which will also serve as the venue to push our advocacy for a cleaner and safer environment,” TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva said.?
“The electric vehicle is also a concrete example of TESDA’s compliance with the call of the government to continuously search for alternative fuel or source of energy which are environment-friendly and cost-effective for the Filipino people,” he said.?
Because it will not be using diesel or gasoline, the e-vehicle will not emit carbon monoxide and thus, reducing the elements in the environment that contribute to pollution.?
Based on researches, fossil fuel such as diesel and gasoline are one of the major causes of pollution through carbon emission.
Environmentally-damaging as they are, fuel costs also continue to rise because of the lack of alternative source.
TESDA, with the assistance of a Japanese expert, will organize a training program which will focus on the process of converting engine diesel driven vehicles to become battery driven.?
Trainees will be taught how to distinguish electric from internal combustion engine, identify the major components of an electric vehicle, enumerate the safety considerations in driving an electric vehicle, and manufacture and operate an electric vehicle.?
TESDA will share the expenses with ECOS for the purchase of the motor, motor controller, battery, charger and other parts and materials.?
Villanueva announced that TESDA will also formulate training regulations for the assessment and certification of Electric Vehicle Technicians for government agencies, local government units and various sectors.?
“We hope that through this seminar, we shall be one in advocating that Electric Vehicle Shops and Charging Stations in the near future shall be allowed to operate only if they have qualified and certified Electric Vehicle technicians to ensure the safety of the riding public,” he said.
A number of local government units have also taken initiatives to introduce e-vehicles in the country such as the e-jeepneys in Makati City while e-trikes will soon ply the side streets of Metro Manila.?
“The e- vehicles can be a game changer. With foundations and private corporations which are willing to pour in resources and partner with us in TESDA for this endeavor, we can say that the e-vehicles are here to stay and grow in number,” Villanueva said.?
With the influx of electric vehicles, Villanueva said technical vocational education especially for mechanic and related courses will become more in-demand.?
“The builders of these e-vehicles will be our trainees, our graduates. Proudly, we can say that they are our TESDA Specialistas,” he added.?
TESDA will sponsor e-vehicle appreciation seminar for policy makers and another one for technical personnel of various government agencies as part of the TESDA anniversary celebration.
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