Letter to the Editor - Fuel rationing

Fuel rationing? I am really beginning to believe that GMA and Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla have "mixed-up wiring in their headsets."

To a limited degree fuel rationing would work in North America and most of Western Europe but not in the Philippines. Why won't it work here? It is a matter of attitude of the people and a culture that breeds corruption at every level of government and business. Regardless as to what "laws" are passed by Congress, if people want fuel they will find a way to obtain it. The only thing that will effectively ration fuel is the price at the pump. If gasoline costs P200 per liter the consumption of legal gasoline will drop very quickly. As for illegal gasoline, like many other items, I'm sure that someone in the national government will find a way to supply it.

Fixing the number of workdays for companies has to be the brainchild of someone that has absolutely no concept of business, the running of or costs to operate a company. That is one certain way to destroy the economy of the Philippines, an economy that is already very weak.

Regulating use of motor vehicles to conserve fuel and relieve traffic congestion is a fool's dream as it will accomplish neither. That is another step that would have a very negative impact on the economy. The government needs to address the exceptionally poor driving habits of drivers with emphasis on jeepney and taxi operators.

As an estimate, approximately 90 percent of all tricycles should be removed from operation within all cities and 100 percent of the trisikads. A very large number of jeepneys could be removed. This would greatly lower the national fuel consumption and reduce pollution. As for the trisikads, they hinder the natural flow of vehicle traffic and present a serious potential for accidents.

Perhaps the government should enforce existing speed limits, install operating traffic signals, traffic regulating signs and even street name signs.

A very bold step that can be taken by the national government, a step that would save enormous amounts of fuel, would be to eliminate the use of all government vehicles except for emergency, police and AFP vehicles. That all national government employees, elected officials including the President and Vice President travel by public transportation, i.e., jeepney or tricycle regardless as to the purpose of their travel. They may not use private vehicles. The use of helicopters or fixed wing aircraft would be absolutely forbidden. In other words all travel would be restricted to commercial public transportation. Of course they would be perfectly free to walk or ride a bicycle to work.

Implement a true public transportation system in all cities. Study the systems of North America and Europe. You will discover the inter-city bus systems to be quite effective.

Recycle waste oil. This is a very good plan if you have the infrastructure to process it. North America and Europe have been doing this for years. The recycling of plastic is also important as it is made from petroleum.

There are many things that can be done to save energy that will enhance the standard of living, promote employment, etc. They are not to be found, with the exception of two items, in the list of proposed energy saving measures. You need to look towards North America and Western Europe for those technologies.

Alex Lee
Lapu-Lapu City