BIQ01 - What is the official name of your organisation/project (and any registration number if you have one, plus main contact, email address and phone number)?
Engine EcoPhils, Inc. / Carbon Cutter Project(s). The Concept Note gives Engine EcoPhils, Inc., 41 Esteban Abada St., Brgy Loyola Heights, Katipunan, Quezon City, NCR 1108. Phone details appear in two places and should be verified: +63 995 121 2676 and +63 932 245 2748, with Viber/WhatsApp noted. Main operational contacts and email address should be confirmed during the PHC 7-Day Review.
BIQ02 - Are you registered (NGO / CBO / company / informal group)? If not, do you want to register?
The Concept Note states that Engine EcoPhils, Inc. was registered in the Philippines in February 2020 and is the worldwide distributor of the Carbon Cutter device. Registration documents, corporate status, ownership and authority to contract should be requested for verification.
BIQ03 - What location(s) do you operate in (town/county/region)? Any plans to expand?
The organisation is based in Quezon City, Philippines. Project locations appear to be selectable by the funder, with an intended focus on public utility vehicles in a defined locality. Expansion is implied through demonstration projects leading to wider retail/commercial programmes, but target regions should be confirmed.
BIQ04 - What problem are you solving in one sentence?
The project aims to reduce emissions and local air pollution from existing internal-combustion public transport vehicles while creating livelihood benefits for drivers, disabled fabricators and low-income installers.
BIQ05 - What does "success" look like for you in 6 months and 12 months?
In 6 months: a clearly scoped demonstration project, verified baseline method, trained fabricators/installers, initial retrofit activity and credible progress reporting. In 12 months: completion of retrofit activity for the funded deployment, before/after evidence, social-benefit reporting and a final impact report suitable for funders and wider publicity.
BIQ06 - What is your biggest constraint right now (money / people / equipment / skills / trust / transport / time / other)?
The likely biggest constraints are funding, independent verification of technical claims, access to vehicle groups, delivery governance, reliable baseline/after data, and funder confidence. The PHC review should identify which constraint is most immediate.
BIQ07 - What are the top 3 priorities you want help with immediately?
Immediate priorities: verify key technical and impact claims; establish a funder-ready demonstration project scope; define the evidence, stakeholder, delivery and reporting plan for a 7-Day Review followed by setup and continuation.
BIQ08 - What partners do you already work with (government, clinics, schools, NGOs, churches, local leaders)?
The Concept Note names The Foundation for These-Abled Persons, Inc. as an NGO partner for disabled-person fabrication work. Other required partners include public utility vehicle associations, mechanics/installers, certified emission testing centres, local administrators, funders/CSR sponsors and publication/outreach channels.
BIQ09 - What systems do you currently use (paper notebook, WhatsApp, Excel, Google Drive, website, none)?
Current internal systems are not specified. The Concept Note describes data collection, tabulation, reporting and publication activity, but the actual tools used for records, quality control, reporting, vehicle data, driver consent and financial tracking need confirmation.
BIQ10 - Do you have permission/consent from people on your register to store/use their data for support services?
Not stated. Because the project may collect driver names, vehicle data, fuel-use data, test results and photographs, the PHC review should confirm consent, data ownership, storage, privacy, publication permissions and retention rules before project launch.
PSQ01 - What service can you name, with brief description of each that will help the beneficiaries of your project?
Core services include Carbon Cutter retrofit installation, before/after emissions and fuel-use data collection, fabricator training, installer training, project administration, progress reporting and final impact reporting. Wider services may include demonstration programme design and retail/commercial expansion planning.
PSQ02 - List your current services (what you do today), and for each: how often and for how many people per month?
The Concept Note does not provide current monthly service volumes. It claims prior retrofitting/guided retrofitting of thousands of vehicles globally and proposes funded deployments such as a USD500,000 project covering up to 23,000 vehicles. Current operating capacity should be verified.
PSQ03 - Which services are most needed but you cannot currently deliver?
Most needed but not currently deliverable at scale without funding: large demonstration deployment, independent before/after testing, structured project governance, broad publication of results, local installer/fabricator mobilisation and funder-facing reporting.
PSQ04 - What are the top 5 needs reported by beneficiaries of your project (health, safety, work, school, counselling, etc.)?
Beneficiary needs include lower fuel costs for public utility drivers, cleaner air for communities, paid fabrication work for persons with disabilities, installation income for low-income mechanically minded workers, and credible evidence for funders seeking climate/social impact.
PSQ05 - What is the service pathway right now? (How does a person join → receive help → follow-up?)
Proposed pathway: funder selects goals/location/reporting; project admin organises stakeholders; fabricators and installers are trained; drivers are enrolled; baseline fuel/emissions data is gathered; devices are fabricated and installed; after-data is collected; progress and final reports are issued.
PSQ06 - What makes your approach different from other organisations (if any)?
The project claims difference through a low-cost, quick-install, non-invasive engine add-on combined with disability-inclusive fabrication, low-income installer training, driver income benefits and air-quality/climate impacts. These differentiators should be verified through evidence and comparison with alternatives.
PSQ07 - What "minimum service package" could you reliably deliver every month if basic funding existed?
A minimum service package could include a limited demonstration cohort, verified baseline and after-testing sample, agreed reporting rhythm, driver/vehicle register, installation records, concern/action tracking and final funder report. The exact vehicle count should depend on funding and capacity.
PSQ08 - What does a typical case look like from first contact to resolution?
A typical vehicle case would include driver/vehicle registration, baseline fuel-consumption data, selection for emissions testing if in the sample, device installation, post-installation follow-up after an agreed period, fuel/emissions comparison and inclusion in project reporting.
PSQ09 - What are the risks/harm points in service delivery (stigma, security threats, exploitation, misinformation)?
Risks include unverified technical claims, poor data quality, weak consent, unrealistic fuel-saving assumptions, installer quality issues, vehicle-owner resistance, reputational risk if results disappoint, supply constraints, safety/compliance questions and over-reliance on promotional evidence.
PSQ10 - How do you measure whether a service worked? (simple indicators)
Measures include number of vehicles retrofitted, baseline and after fuel consumption, sample emissions-test results, estimated CO2 reductions, particulate reduction indicators, driver fuel-cost savings, number of fabricators/installers trained and paid, and quality/timeliness of project reporting.
PSQ11 - What services could be delivered remotely (WhatsApp/phone) vs require physical presence?
Planning, reporting, funder liaison, training materials and data review may be partly remote. Vehicle enrolment, fabrication, installation, emissions testing and driver engagement require physical presence in the project location.
PEQ01 - What equipment do you have? mobile phone? pc? printer? monitor? - list all you have.
Not specified. The review should list fabrication tools/materials, installer tools, data-capture devices, phones/computers, testing access, transport and reporting equipment required for the demonstration project.
PEQ02 - How do we contact you? Telephone number? Office Address? Main Contact? Number of people in the management team? Number of people that the project will address?
Contact details are provided in the Concept Note but need verification. The management team includes named board and executive roles. The number of people directly addressed depends on project scale; the example project targets up to 23,000 vehicles plus fabricators, installers and affected communities.
PEQ03 - Where are you working from? Would the office address be your home? a community centre? an internet cafe?
The organisation address is in Quezon City. Operational work may occur at fabricator locations, vehicle association sites, installation locations and certified emissions testing centres. The operating base for a specific pilot should be defined.
PEQ04 - What equipment is working reliably, and what is broken / missing / shared / borrowed?
Not specified. The review should confirm what fabrication, installation, data and office equipment is available, working, borrowed, shared or missing.
PEQ05 - How stable is your electricity and internet (daily / weekly outages)?
Not specified. Electricity and internet stability should be checked for office/admin work, data reporting, communications and any remote coordination with funders or PHC reviewers.
PEQ06 - Where is your data stored (paper files, phone, laptop)? Is there a backup?
Not specified. Driver/vehicle data, fuel-consumption records, emissions test results, photos and financial records need a defined storage and backup method before funded deployment.
PEQ07 - Do you have a safe place to store sensitive records?
Not specified. A safe record-storage method is needed because the project may hold personal data, vehicle records, partner agreements, testing records and payment data for fabricators/installers.
PEQ08 - Do you have transport (walking, bicycle, motorbike, car, public)? Biggest travel barrier?
Transport arrangements are not specified. The project will require movement of materials, fabricators/installers, staff, devices and vehicles to/from installation and testing locations.
PEQ09 - What are your printing/scanning options (none / pay-per-use shop / own printer)?
Not specified. Printing/scanning may be needed for agreements, consent forms, installation records, testing documents, receipts and funder reporting.
PEQ10 - If you had a small "starter kit" (phone + laptop + printer), who would be responsible for it?
If a starter kit is needed, responsibility should sit with a named project administrator or data/reporting lead. Asset custody and use rules should be recorded in the PHC setup.
PEQ11 - What does your workspace need to become functional (desk, chair, lockable cabinet, internet router, etc.)?
Functional workspace needs may include device/material storage, fabrication coordination, quality-control area, data entry/reporting station, secure document storage, internet access and meeting/briefing space.
PEQ12 - What would be the ideal operating base in 6 months (home office / shared centre / rented office)?
The ideal operating base in 6 months should support project administration, stakeholder meetings, training coordination, secure data handling, device/material logistics and reporting. Whether this is the Quezon City office, partner premises or field office should be confirmed.
PEQ13 - What security risks exist at your premises (theft, harassment, privacy exposure)?
Potential risks include theft of materials/devices, loss of data, privacy exposure of driver records, poor control of project assets, unsafe installation settings, and reputational risk from uncontrolled publication of claims or images.
PQ01 - Who are the key roles today (leader, admin, outreach, finance, volunteer coordinator)? Names + roles.
Named team in the Concept Note: Dan Renner (Inventor, COB, Quality Control, Business Developer), Ramon Gloria (President), Ramon Antonio Bautista (CFO/Board), Glenn Stuart Tan (Treasurer/Board), Gunelie Winum (Partnership and Stakeholder Director/Board), Teddy Esteban Rigorose (Legal Consultant/Board), Keith Alexandra Valcos (Legal Executive/Board). Active project roles should be confirmed.
PQ02 - How many are active weekly (not just "on the list")?
Not specified. The PHC review should identify who is active weekly, who is advisory only, and who will be accountable during a funded demonstration project.
PQ03 - What skills do you have in the team (counselling, healthcare links, social work, advocacy, fundraising, admin, IT)?
Stated skills include invention/product knowledge, quality control, business development, sales/marketing, finance/accounting, CSR/sustainability, legal/compliance, corporate work and stakeholder/partnership experience. Technical installation and field data skills should be confirmed.
PQ04 - What skills are missing that you need most urgently?
Potential missing or under-defined skills include independent monitoring/evaluation, data governance, field project management, funder reporting, impact assurance, local logistics management and PHC-style concerns/action tracking.
PQ05 - What training would help most (basic safeguarding, data handling, case management, fundraising, reporting)?
Useful training may include PHC timechunks and concerns, data collection discipline, consent and privacy, emissions/fuel-record handling, installation quality control, funder reporting and stakeholder communication.
PQ06 - How do you recruit and manage volunteers (screening, agreements, supervision)?
The Concept Note indicates training of disabled fabricators and local installers/mechanics, but screening, agreements, supervision, quality control and payment arrangements need to be detailed.
PQ07 - Do you have a safeguarding lead / safeguarding rules? If not, who could be assigned?
Safeguarding is not central in the same way as a child-protection project, but there should still be a welfare/data/conflict lead for vulnerable workers, disabled fabricators, fair payment, consent and safe working conditions.
PQ08 - What is your communication rhythm (weekly meeting, WhatsApp group, ad-hoc)?
The Concept Note proposes progress data every two weeks and monthly environmental/social impact assessments. Internal meeting rhythm, WhatsApp groups, PHC comments and reporting cadence should be defined.
PQ09 - What conflicts or workload risks exist (burnout, role confusion, disagreements)?
Risks include role confusion between inventor/company/funder/field teams, workload strain during large deployments, quality disputes, pressure to overstate results, funder expectations, and conflict between promotional goals and verification discipline.
PQ10 - If funding arrived, which 3 positions would you pay first (and why)?
If funding arrived, priority paid roles may be project administrator/data lead, field installation/logistics coordinator, and quality/verification/reporting lead. Fabricators and installers also need fair payment built into the project cost model.
FQ01 - Do you have any current income (donations, grants, sales, membership, events)? Rough monthly average.
Current income is not specified. The Concept Note describes funded demonstration projects and later retail/commercial programme potential. Existing sales, grants, investor support and monthly burn rate should be confirmed.
FQ02 - What are your fixed monthly costs (rent, airtime, transport, printing, internet)?
Fixed monthly costs are not provided. Expected project costs include administration, materials, fabrication, delivery, installation, testing, reporting and stakeholder coordination.
FQ03 - What costs are unpredictable emergencies (medical cases, relocation, safety incidents)?
Unpredictable costs may include material price changes, field logistics, rework/quality defects, additional testing, vehicle no-shows, local approvals, travel, safety incidents, communications and publication/outreach costs.
FQ04 - What are the top 10 things you spend money on when you have it?
Likely spending categories: raw materials, material preparation, fabricator payments, installer/mechanic payments, project admin, local logistics, emissions testing, data/reporting, stakeholder meetings, publication/communications and PHC review/setup if funded.
FQ05 - Do you keep records (cashbook, receipts, mobile money statements)? Who holds them?
Financial record systems are not specified. The PHC review should request records of purchases, fabrication payments, installation payments, testing costs, discounts, retail price basis and project administration costs.
FQ06 - Do you have, or intend to open, a bank/mobile money account in the organisation name? If not, what do you use?
Banking arrangements are not specified. A funded project should use a documented company account with clear contracting, invoicing, payment approval and audit trail.
FQ07 - What is the smallest funding amount that would make a real difference this month?
The smallest useful amount is not specified. A PHC 7-Day Review can establish the minimum viable demonstration scope and the amount needed for a credible pilot rather than relying only on the USD500,000 example.
FQ08 - What is your 12-month "ideal budget" (even if rough)?
The Concept Note provides a USD500,000 example project covering up to 23,000 vehicles over a 12-month activity period plus reporting. A 12-month budget should be built from verified vehicle mix, material costs, testing plan, labour, logistics and reporting needs.
FQ09 - What funding have you tried before (who, when, result)?
Previous funding attempts are not described. The review should ask which grant, CSR, family office, government or investor routes have been tried, what feedback was received, and why funding has not yet converted.
FQ10 - What would you consider "good governance proof" to show donors money is safe (reports, receipts, photos, beneficiary confirmations)?
Good governance proof should include funder agreement, vehicle register, consent records, baseline/after data, independent emissions-test documentation, installation logs, material and payment records, progress reports, issue/concern register, and final impact report.
MQ01 - Who is your audience: donors, local community, government, clinics, schools, families, beneficiaries?
Audiences include CSR/ESG funders, grant makers, family offices, climate/air-quality funders, local government, vehicle associations, public utility drivers, disabled-person employment partners, communities affected by air pollution and eventual retail/commercial customers.
MQ02 - What channels do you currently use (WhatsApp, Facebook, TikTok, radio, church announcements, community meetings)?
Current channels include Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and the Engine EcoPhils website. Local channels may include vehicle associations, government/opinion leaders, NGO partners and publication of demonstration results.
MQ03 - Do you have any assets: logo, photos, short video, testimonials, case stories?
Assets include logo/branding, before/after images shown in the Concept Note, website, Facebook page, YouTube channel, LinkedIn company page, team biographies and the Concept Note itself. Evidence quality and publication permissions should be verified.
MQ04 - What is your "one sentence" message to donors?
Possible donor message: Support a funder-visible demonstration project that aims to reduce transport emissions and fuel costs while creating paid work for disabled and low-income people, with results tracked through a progressive evidence trail.
MQ05 - What is your "one sentence" message to beneficiaries?
Possible beneficiary message: The project aims to help drivers save fuel and increase take-home income, while creating fabrication and installation work and improving local air quality.
MQ06 - What questions do people ask most often about your project (and what answers do you give)?
Likely questions: Does the device really work? Is it safe? Does it modify the engine? What evidence exists? How much fuel is saved? Who verifies emissions data? How are drivers selected? Who benefits financially? What happens if results are weaker than claimed?
MQ07 - Do you have a list of contacts (supporters / organisations)? How many?
Contact-list size is not specified. Existing contacts likely include NGO partner contacts, public utility associations, prior test users, social media followers, board networks and potential funders, but these should be mapped.
MQ08 - What partnerships would unlock growth fastest (hospital, police, school, local government, NGO)?
Partnerships that could unlock growth: credible emissions testing centres, public utility vehicle associations, local government transport/environment offices, CSR/ESG funders, disabled-person employment NGOs, universities/testing bodies and media/outreach partners.
MQ09 - What events could you run quarterly (awareness day, clinic day, school session, community meeting)?
Possible events: demonstration installation day, driver briefing, fabricator training session, before/after testing event, funder observation session, community air-quality awareness day, project-results briefing and PHC 7-Day Review presentation.
MQ10 - What proof would be easiest for you to publish monthly (numbers helped, photos of deliveries, short story, receipts summary)?
Easiest monthly proof may include number of devices fabricated/installed, vehicles enrolled, testing completed, fuel-use data collected, workers paid/trained, driver savings estimates, photos with consent, concerns/actions closed and short narrative updates from stakeholders.