MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) –  The Philippines’ Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has announced a new deal with Tesla Motors to purchase from the Silicon Valley company some 600,000 prototype units of the all-electric Tesla Model S.

DOTC Secretary Joseph Abaya announced the new initiative in response to recent protests by Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) drivers who were upset about the Aquino government’s plan to phase out 600,000 jeepneys that are at least 15 years old.

Abaya said that Tesla units will replace the dilapidated, pollution-causing Philippine “kings of the road.”  They will be fitted with the same colorful body paint characteristic of the jeepneys.

It will cost the Philippines $50,000 per Tesla unit which will be imported from California beginning next month. The price is a bargain considering that the Tesla Model S has a base price of $70,000 in the U.S.

The government will, in turn, sell the units to jeepney operators and drivers for a subsidized price of P2 Million each, payable for life.

Life of the jeepney driver, that is. Not life of the vehicle.