ECO-JEEPNEY, GREEN TRANSPORT INITIATIVES TO FIGHT
RISING FUEL COSTS - ANGARA

Senator Edgardo J. Angara expressed his support for the new eco-jeepney program of the Department of Energy (DOE), adding that the program would complement the Green Transport initiative of the Congressional Commission on Science Technology and Engineering (COMSTE), which would help ease the nation's dependence on oil

The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) has been signed with large transport groups, for the eco-jeepney program which will promote the use auto-liquefied petroleum gas (auto-LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG)-fed engines.

The program will aim to convert as many diesel-run jeepneys as possible.

Angara, Chair of COMSTE, identified the development of electric vehicles and green transport as priority projects of the commission for 2011.

The Green Transport initiative and Electric Vehicle program, was conceptualized by COMSTE under the Renewable Energy Research and Development Institute (RERDI) and will be implemented in cooperation with the DOST and the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP). The project will promote the development of new technology that can produce more efficient, low cost batteries and new electric vehicle design initiatives.

Angara said that innovative Green transport systems such as electric tricycles, hybrid jeepneys, buses and electric bicycles have the potential to lessen pollution caused by conventional transportation.

The COMSTE model for Green Transport includes the use of renewable energy sources such as biofuels, like algae, which will in turn charge the batteries of electric and hybrid vehicles, creating a sustainable green transportation system.

Angara, author of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, said that, "we are at the mercy of constant world oil price fluctuations and consequently by the oil companies operating in the business. Each year, we import 94% of all our crude oil needs while our oil consumption is projected to rise by more than 10% in the next decade," said Angara.

"The Philippines is one of the most oil-dependent countries in Asia. This puts us in a vulnerable position as the country's demand for energy can only be expected to grow as households, transport and factories multiply," he added.

"The future is in clean, renewable energy, which is predicted to be one of the biggest industries by 2014. It is a vital step we must take in order to harness and develop the abundant alternative energy resources that our country possesses, to benefit both present and future generations."

The Renewable Energy Act of 2008 encourages local entrepreneurs to go into the development of the country's vast renewable energy resources and decrease our dependence on imported fossil fuel.