The Philippines made its first step in coming up with an environment-friendly transport model for the country, which the government hopes will help reduce pollution.

The distribution of the 20 Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded electric tricycles or e-trikes in Mandaluyong City in Metro Manila, Philippines' capital, on Wednesday came a week after a lawmaker proposed banning the use of plastic bags in major establishments.

In a statement, ADB's Principal Energy Specialist Sohail Hasnie said that every 20,000 e-trikes that are introduced to Manila's streets will save the 100,000 liters of foreign fuel imports each day or about 35 million U.S. dollars annually. ADB said e-trikes are more sustainable and energy-efficient.

"This initiative not only benefits the environment, but it also supports the Philippines drive to become more energy independent," Hasnie added.

Smoke-belching had become a serious matter in the Philippines, especially among public transportation such as tricycles, jeepneys and buses which contribute a huge part in polluting the country.

Emissions from the transport sector currently represent 30 percent of all pollution in the country, and approximately 80 percent of air pollution in Metro Manila, ADB said.

Over 3.5 million motorized tricycles -- motorcycles with sidecars -- are currently operating in the Philippines, producing more than 10 million tons of carbon dioxide and using close to 5 billion U.S. dollars of imported fuel each year.

In contrast, e-trikes use lithium ion batteries which are commonly used in laptop computers and mobile phones. The batteries can be recharged approximately 2,000 times, unlike the lead acid batteries used in older e-trike models that need to be replaced every two years, ADB said.

This means that the e-trikes' carbon footprint will be less than one quarter of petroleum-fueled tricycles' carbon dioxide emissions, ADB said.

"Working together, we can give Manila cleaner air, bluer skies, and a more livable environment. The Philippines is assuming a leading role in Asia in supporting green transportation alternatives, and if e-trikes are followed by new fleets of electric buses and jeepneys, the effect could be transformative," Kunio Senga, director general of ADB's Southeast Asia Department said.

Last week, a lawmaker proposed passing a law that will ban plastic bags in places which consumers frequently visit, such as groceries, supermarkets, public markets, restaurants, fast-food chains, and department and retail stores.

Senator Loren Legarda, who heads the committee on climate change, said the idea is to curb pollution and help the country manage its ecological resources more wisely.

"As the problems of pollution, environmental degradation and severe weather shifts escalate, all sectors of society must act with dispatch. Individuals must make conscious efforts to change our daily routine and practices to produce a positive impact on our environment," she said.