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By Darwin G. Amojelar Reporter
THE Department of Transportation
and Communication said Thurday it would allocate P1 billion from the
Special Vehicle Pollution Control Fund to finance environmentally
sustainable transport projects as directed by President Arroyo.
Transport Secretary Leandro
Mendoza said in a statement that among the projects intended for
funding is the use of alternative fuels such as Compressed Natural
Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for public transport.
The Special Vehicle Pollution
Control Fund is collected under the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC)
imposed on owners of all types of motor vehicles and deposited as a
special trust account in the National Treasury. It is earmarked
solely for air pollution control.
Mendoza said one way the
government addresses transport-related issues is to encourage the
use of alternative fuel resources, which would help road transport
groups earn higher income in the face of spiraling fuel prices. At
the same time, alternative fuels, such as biofuel, are expected to
reduce green house gas emission and promote a clean and healthy
environment.
“The use of CNG and LPG as
alternative fuels is much cheaper than petroleum fuels. So, we can
now expect operators of Public Utility Vehicles to earn higher
income. Moreover, alternative fuels are cleaner, have less emission
and environment-friendly,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza also said that the use of
alternative fuels will be beneficial to the country because it can
be sourced locally and it will not only improve air quality, but
reduce pollution.
In order to boost the
implementation of the project, Mendoza said his agency is seeking
the help of local units of government, including cities and
municipalities, to encourage local transport operators to shift to
alternative fuels.
Mendoza urged local leaders to
follow Puerto Princesa’s “Trikebayan,” an environment-friendly
and economical electric-powered tricycle, which does not emit any
noise or carbon monoxide.
The Trikebayan costs only P 48 or
$ 1.20 per day to operate, while a gasoline-powered tricycle
operation would cost P 200. Converting a tricycle engine to electric
costs P 68,000, which can can run for 12 hours.
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