Edmund Abengana Araga, president of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), received the ASEAN International Award – International Leadership Excellence at the Malaysia Industry Awards (MINDA) and ASEAN Business Community Development Forum on August 7, 2025, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Organized by the Federation of Malaysian Business Associations (FMBA) under Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship, the event honored outstanding contributions to visionary leadership, sustainable development, and cross-border collaboration.

Araga was cited for his achievements in advancing electric mobility and sustainable transportation across ASEAN. As EVAP president and founding president of the Asian Federation of Electric Vehicle Associations (AFEVA), he has led initiatives such as the Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit, ASEAN EV & Hybrid Summit, and ASEAN participation in the International EV Expo.

He also played a key role in the passage of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA Law) and the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI), as well as in establishing e-charging infrastructure, deploying e-trikes to local governments, forging strategic partnerships, and representing ASEAN in international EV and APEC forums.

“This award is not just a personal honor but a recognition of the collective efforts of our EVAP members, partners, and the broader ASEAN EV community,” Araga said.

The award was presented during the MINDA 2025 Dinner Night, themed Champions of Change – Shaping ASEAN’s Future.

With stronger regional engagement and supportive policies already in place, what steps should the Philippines prioritize next to accelerate EV adoption and investment? Share your insights.

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