Press Release
March 28, 2011

GOV'T MUST PUSH FOR LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS
TO FIGHT RISING FUEL COSTS - ANGARA

Senator Edgardo J. Angara called for the government to invest in long term solutions to fight the rising costs of fuel and end foreign oil dependency by supporting renewable energy (RE) resources and green transportation solutions.

Angara made the statements after news that the government is studying the implementation of a fuel subsidy plan for public transport operators to be able to cope with steadily rising fuel costs.

Angara noted that the plan would only be a stopgap measure with short term effects, adding RE alternatives and electric and hybrid vehicles will bring long term solutions and at the same time help stimulate the growth of new industries.

Angara, Chair of the Congressional Commission on Science Technology and Engineering, expressed his support for the new eco-jeepney program of the Department of Energy (DOE) and the initiative of Iloilo city, which recently launched an electric jeepney program.

He added that these programs would help complement the Green Transport initiative and electric vehicle programs of COMSTE, which would help ease the nation's dependence on oil.

Angara 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.

He noted that the development of an e-vehicle industry would help stimulate job growth in the new industry, which has the potential to grow into exports as countries like Taiwan and Korea, and even China have already expressed interest in the local electric vehicle industry.

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 be used to charge the batteries of electric, and hybrid vehicles, creating a sustainable, and cyclic green transportation system.

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.

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