Council eyes assistance for e-jeeps

Now that the Land Transportation Office has given the go signal for the registration of electric jeepney or e-jeep, the Cebu City Council is set to pass a resolution urging concerned government agencies to provide assistance for its implementation in the city.

In his proposed resolution, Councilor Arsenio Pacaña urged the Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Department of Finance, the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Trade and Industry, to provide appropriate incentive scheme.

Such scheme, Pacaña said, is to encourage public utility jeepney groups to shift to e-jeeps as an alternative and cheap mode of public transport.

Pacaña stated that since PUJ drivers’ income seems all go to fuel and rental of units, it is high time for PUJ transport sector to shift to electric-powered vehicles as an alternative and cheap mode of public transport.

He added that with the successful launching of e-jeeps in Makati City in July 2007, the shift to such kind of vehicle could be the solution of transport sector’s dilemma and dependence on expensive diesel and gasoline fuel.

If they are implemented in the city, the e-jeepneys would use energy from biodegradable waste from the city's wet markets, food establishments and households.

The electric-powered vehicle is a project initiated by the Green Renewable Independent Power Producer, Greenpeace and the Makati City government.

Pacaña said since the government has allocated P1 billion for transport groups to use liquefied petroleum gas and compressed natural gas for their units, it would be appropriate if the subsidy would be used as financial assistance or seed money for them to buy e-jeeps. – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/LPM