Let's be serious in finding alternatives to oil

Last weekend, Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde revealed that Malacañang was seriously thinking of “revisiting” the Oil Deregulation Law especially when he admitted that the government had “limited” powers in addressing the fluctuating prices of crude oil or even the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

The first thing that came into my mind when I first read this Philippine Star headline news last Sunday was, “finally the Palace succumbed to the demands of the militant jeepney operators! Surely Cerge is not suggesting that the Arroyo Administration is planning to repeal the Oil Deregulation Law because that would mean a total surrender to the militant left that always uses the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law as one of its demands!

We Filipinos are so notoriously known for our short memories! Before there was an Oil Deregulation Law, whenever there are abrupt changes or surge in oil prices, all the militant groups need to do is to rally in protest and demand for a reduction of oil prices or the resignation of the President. Knowing through history that all Philippine Presidents never had “political will” Malacañang tap the Oil Price Stabilization Fund (OPSF), which was designed to “cushion” the impact of high oil prices, the pump prices of oil then stabilized until the next protest came.

But we know too well that the Philippines is not an oil producing nation, hence having an OPSF meant that the Filipino people are not really feeling the real price of oil in the world market. Worse, the majority of anti-government protests that often result in the deaths of demonstrators was due to the militant clashes that came out of the protests to bring down oil prices and have caused an economic slowdown in the country because of the negative publicity brought by these riotous protests.

Of course we shouldn’t be scared if Malacañang wants a review of the Oil Deregulation Law. In fact I have knowledge that even before Cerge Remonde revealed this news last Saturday, Malacañang already tasked a group to study the Oil Deregulation Law. What make these times very interesting is that after that wild roller coaster ride in the world prices of crude oil, the prices of oil today has dropped to record lows, after a few months of record highs. Thanks to the global financial crisis, which has resulted in thousands of business failures, resulting in many job losses. Now the demand for crude oil has dropped so uncomfortably low.

I just got a copy of Alvin Toffler’s latest book entitled “Revolutionary Wealth” that talks about what’s happening in the world today and how it will change our lives. If you read this book, you will note that the world is now suffering from global climate change. If we continue buying oil-based products that pollute the environment, it would be disastrous for this planet. This is why today, American automotive giants, like Ford, GM and Chrysler are suffering the worst sales in their history!

After decades of selling gas guzzlers to the American public, the buyers now want to tap whatever new technologies is available to turn the automotive industry green! Right now, GM has announced that they would sell the Chevy Volt next year, an electric car that promises car buyers zero emissions because it uses no gasoline. Its battery can run up to 40 miles on a single charge. The logo of the Chevy Volt is Charge the Battery and change the world!

With the US economy officially in recession, it’s hurting not only its own auto industry, but all the auto companies that export to the US. I’m sure that the Japanese automakers already have something up their sleeves.

Two years ago, Honda already introduced the FCX Clarity, the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, which does not run on batteries but on hydrogen; its exhaust only spews water. I’m sure that by the year 2010, many automakers would unveil their new technology cars for the world market that is hungry to get away from the clutches of crude oil.

Rather than just review the Oil Deregulation Law and find out its various bugs, the Philippine government ought to be looking into what are the alternative sources for fuel that is available out there. Biofuel is one such example, although many environmental groups warn that it would only aggravate world hunger. But if the Brazilians were able to convert their Sugar Industry to fuel their cars (they are proudly 100% free from Arab oil) I don’t see any reason why we Filipinos cannot duplicate what they have done in Brazil. We do not need to reinvent the wheel.