Press Release
July 1, 2008

Pia hails launch of first fleet of electric jeepneys as PUVs today

Hailing them as the "new kings of the road," Senator Pia S. Cayetano welcomed the first fleet of four electric jeepneys (e-jeeps) that were launched as public utility vehicles (PUVs) in Makati City this morning.

"We're marking the start of the era of environment-friendly mass transport in the country," said Cayetano, an ardent supporter of the e-jeep program since the green vehicles were introduced last year by the environmentalist group, Green Renewable Independent Power Producer (GRIPP) and Greenpeace.

"The e-jeep can now come out of clean energy exhibits and expos to ply major thoroughfares and finally serve the public," she added. "They won't be considered 'colorums' anymore with the release of classification and registration guidelines by the Land Transportation Office."

The first batch of passenger utility e-jeeps is composed of two imported units and two locally assembled units by the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (MVPMAP).

"The commitment of local car parts manufacturers to assemble more e-jeeps brings us great hope, especially as the price of petroleum hits record-high levels at US$143 per barrel. This gesture should encourage more people in the transport sector to invest in this clean and timely technology."

An environmentalist herself, Cayetano has personally promoted the e-jeep across the country.

She used it as her official vehicle in a visit to Bacolod City last January and as lead car for her annual all-women's empowerment run, "Pinay in Action," in Taguig City. She was also given a tour on board the e-jeep around Burnham Park by Baguio City Mayor Peter Rey Bautista last March.

She encouraged other local government executives to follow the initiative of Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay who facilitated the deployment of the e-jeeps to serve public utility routes in his locality. Industrial zones, private offices, government agencies and resorts should also look into using the e-jeep as a service vehicle to ferry their staff and customers, she suggested.

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