THE Smart Mobility for Viable, Efficient and Cleaner Mode of Transportation in Apayao (Move Apayao) program will soon introduce smart, low-carbon transport systems including electric tricycles (e-Trikes), charging infrastructure and digital mobility solutions to the province.
The initiative stems from a partnership among the Cagayan State University (CSU), the Department of Science and Technology-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR) and the local government unit (LGU) of Santa Marcela.
During the 31st Apayao Founding Anniversary celebration on Feb. 25, these organizations signed a tripartite memorandum of agreement, operationalizing a key component of the Move Apayao initiative. CSU will design, fabricate, test and deploy two e-Trikes and five C-Trike conversion kits, which will be utilized for sustainable transport demonstration in Santa Marcela.
The Move Apayao program has been scheduled for implementation from January to December 2026. Continuous monitoring will evaluate the performance, sustainability and scalability of electric mobility solutions across the province.
CSU’s Electromobility Research and Development Center will lead the technology development and fabrication of the e-Trikes. DOST-CAR will provide project funding amounting to P1.6 million under the Grants-in-Aid Program. The Santa Marcela LGU, led by Mayor Evelyn Martinez, will oversee local implementation and adoption.
CSU President Arthur Ibañez reiterated their commitment “to developing and deploying eco-friendly technologies that will benefit the community and contribute to a cleaner environment.”
To create a cultural shift toward sustainability, the program will include route simulation, charging systems, mobile application development and capacity-building for operators and LGU personnel.
“Our goal is to make electric mobility solutions a norm in Apayao,” said DOST-CAR Regional Director Nancy Bantog. She said the initiative will “reduce carbon emissions ... and create new economic opportunities for the people of Apayao.”
The program’s success is expected to pave the way for the adoption of green industries in other parts of the country. “As the Philippines continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, initiatives like Move Apayao offer a glimmer of hope for a sustainable future,” Ibañez said.
