MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is taking steps to introduce a new breed of jeepneys that runs either on eco-friendly electricity or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
DOTC Undersecretary for Project Implementation and Special Concerns Efren Moncupa said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved the franchises of the first 20 e-jeepneys, which ply three different Makati green routes -- Legaspi Village, Salcedo Village, and Heritage Village loops.
The new e-jeepneys run on electricity, which is less costly than diesel and does not contribute to air pollution. The Pinoy jeepney, which has been a boon to the Filipino culture but a bane to the environment for its reputation of being a smoke belcher, is set to get a much-needed reinvention, one that would make it more eco-friendly.
Apart from the franchises the LTFRB has started granting for e-jeepneys, the DOTC have likewise started talks with various transport groups to convince their members to switch to these environmentally-friendly modes of transport.
The jeepney transport group, Pasang Masda, has proposed the adoption of a 21-seater e-jeepney that costs around P450,000 to P500,000, Moncupa said.
Moncupa added that the DOTC is also looking to promote jeepneys whose engine will run on efficient and eco-friendly liquefied petroleum gas. He said the DOTC is now in talks with a local supplier of LPG-run engines.
The move to reinvent jeepneys forms is part of the DOTC's initiative to promote clean air in the country by coming up with programs for the transport sector that will significantly reduce air pollution.
Earlier, DOTC Sec. Mar Roxas said the DOTC is also eyeing to steadily reduce the age limits of PUVs over time. Currently, buses have a 15-year old age limit; taxis, 13 years; and AUVs, multicab, and vans, 10 years.
The DOTC also forged a partnership with the University of the Philippines (UP) seeking for assistance in conducting research on environmentally sustainable transport policies.
These initiatives should help the country improve its environmental performance index, said DOTC spokesman Atty. Nic Conti.
The biennial environmental performance index (EPI) prepared by Yale and Columbia Universities ranked the Philippines 42nd among 132 countries categorized as a global "strong performer" in environmental performance.
The EPI, a project of the World Economic Forum in Geneva and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission in Italy, is a method of quantifying and numerically benchmarking a country's performance on its environmental policies.
