Self-drive car rental platform believes oil crisis opportunity for them

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April 10, 2026 | 5:17pm

MANILA, Philippines — A self-drive car rental platform company believes the ongoing oil crisis in the country presents an opportunity to highlight the value of the sharing economy.

In an exclusive interview with Philstar.com, OOPA general manager Jedd Go said rising fuel prices continue to challenge the transportation sector but are also pushing consumers toward more practical mobility options.

“When fuel prices rise, the cost of car ownership increases. For many Filipinos, maintaining a private vehicle that sits idle 90% of the time becomes less practical,” Go said, adding that the platform offers a “Self-Drive” alternative where users only pay for vehicles when they need them.

He said this setup allows users to avoid the high monthly costs of ownership while making mobility more flexible.

Go also noted that the oil crisis has created added value for car owners on the platform, as listing vehicles provides a way to offset fuel and maintenance expenses through passive income. He added that users are increasingly shifting toward fuel-efficient sedans for city trips, while reserving larger vehicles for group travel to better manage costs.

“For our hosts, the oil crisis actually makes OOPA more essential. By listing their vehicles on our platform, they can offset their own rising fuel and maintenance costs with the passive income they earn,” he said.

He also said some users report faster travel times due to reduced congestion, describing it as an unintended but positive effect of changing transport patterns.

On safety, Go said that it remains the company’s core priority, saying the system is designed to manage vehicles through both technology and operational safeguards.

“We don't just ‘rent cars’; we manage mobile assets with high-level tech,” he said, adding that the platform’s “Garage System” ensures vehicles are properly vetted and supported throughout their use.

Go said each unit is equipped with GPS tracking, allowing real-time monitoring for both safety and assistance. He also cited the use of remote engine immobilization technology, which can disable vehicles in cases of unauthorized use.

“We utilize several safety measures like remote engine immobilization technology,” he said. “In the rare event of unauthorized use or a security breach, we can safely disable the vehicle from our command center.”

He added that all bookings are covered by insurance tailored for car-sharing arrangements, protecting both renters and vehicle owners.

Go also explained that the platform has what it calls “asset redundancy,” allowing replacement vehicles to be deployed in case of mechanical issues to prevent disruptions.

“By combining these hardware and software solutions, we’ve created an environment where Filipinos can share and rent vehicles with total peace of mind,” he said.

OOPA is a self-drive car rental platform that integrates identity verification, digital contracts, secure payments, and vehicle inspections into one system. Before bookings are confirmed, both users and vehicle owners undergo verification, while listed vehicles are subject to document authentication and mechanical checks.

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