“Without redesigning the jeepney by making it lighter, there really Is no way that LPG can power it to the satisfaction of the jeepney drivers who are used to the way they presently drive.”
by Ducky Paredes
While converting jeepneys to use compressed natural gas (CNG) or Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) may be beneficial to the environment and to owners because of projected lower running costs, redesigning the jeepney using lighter materials will probably also save a lot on fuel consumption.
The jeepney needs a huge engine because it is a very heavy vehicle for the work it does – ferrying passengers from place to place. Notice that the jeepney can be extremely overloaded yet the engine still runs smoothly.
In Katmandu, there are 650 locally-manufactured three-wheeled ”electric rickshaws” that can carry ten passengers and do the work for the Nepalese that our jeepneys do for us. The steering mechanism is that of a motorcycle and power comes from a series of batteries that must be recharged before the unit can go out again. It has a range of only 70 kilometers per charging. This is much lighter than our jeepney and is probably not as useful but it does the work of ferrying people from place to place without too much pollution.
Under the present program projected to cost a billion pesos, 10,000 jeepneys will be converted to use LPG which will be paid back at only P80 a day until full payment of an interest- free loan from government banks. LPG is presently cheaper than either gasoline or diesel fuel.
But, what will happen to fuel prices when the demand for LPG increases?
Among the complaints of taxi drivers now using LPG is that their unites are under-powered and on has to gun the motor before going up a bridge or higher ground. But gunning it will produce the release of LPG into the taxicab’s compartment which can sometimes cause the passenger to become sick from the fumes.
Without redesigning the jeepney by making it lighter, there really Is no way that LPG can power it to the satisfaction of the jeepney drivers who are used to the way they presently drive. A much lighter frame on a smaller engine will do if the unit is not overloaded to the extent that our jeepneys now are. Conversion will mean a change even in driving habits and the way that public transportation is used.
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Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Leila De Lima has called LGU officials, the MMDA and various stakeholders to discuss the demolition of houses and forced eviction of informal settlers. She wants these demolitions to be carried out in a “just” and “humane” manner.
Actually, they would be if there were no rocks thrown at those who are carrying out lawful orders to clear the area and the residents did not bring out bolos and sticks against the demolition teams. When they do that, violence will happen.
According to the MMDA, in recent demolitions, many of those affected no longer resist. Instead, they only ask up to what line of structures will be demolished; then, they move back. Perhaps, if this is true, they have seen the effect of a more disciplined Metro Manila and approve of it; or, maybe, they just realize that it is useless to resist.
Says the CHR Chairman: “In some instances, such evictions may be legally justified. However, in no instance, legally or otherwise, can the deprivation of one’s shelter be done in a manner that robs a person of his dignity as well.”
If that is the problem, whey did she point out the following demolitions as those tat she wanted to take up: The Philcoa Wet and Dry Market in Quezon City (March 5, 2008); Levi Mariano Ave. in Taguig City (March 5, 2007); Culiat Bridge along Mindanao Ave. in Quezon City (Aug. 2, 2007); Balintawak Market in Quezon City (May 14, 2008); and Quinta Market in Manila (May 20, 2008).
It would seem that there is no “deprivation of one’s shelter” in those demolitions. Besides, do we want people living under a bridge or on a bridge or on a public street? Where is the “dignity” in that?
I sincerely believe that without discipline a people and a country cannot strive for or achieve greatness. Discipline also means following the rules. Being poor and undisciplined should not be a license to violate every rule in the book. Metro Manila becoming more disciplined is actually a good thing.
Hopefully, what the CHR Chairman is doing will not encourage even more people to squat anywhere they like. Living in filthy surroundings or, as Australian Television has been broadcasting recently on its Philippine coverage “people living over open sewers” cannot be too dignified an existence.
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“I’m afraid an election as usual in 2010 will not give us the exceptional President we need, who will match your sense of devotion to your constituents with his/her sense of the nation, and his/her feeling for this country we all love.
“Given the absence in our country of reformist/heroic leaders such as those who have risen in Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, it seems to me that you—our local political achievers—have no choice but to organize—once you are ready—a national ‘people power’ movement for good governance that would replicate nation-wide the phenomenal 2007 ‘people power’ election in Pampanga Province.” – Jose Almonte, former National Security Adviser speaking to Galing Pook Foundation in Pasig City, June 7, 2008.
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I received the following early morning text from Secretary Toting Bunye: “My appointment as MB (Monetary Board) member will take effect July 3. By June 30, I will have resigned as Presidential Spokesman and Presidential Adviser. By that time, I will also have divested myself of any shares or holdings in any bank or institution which are under the supervision of the BSP. Don’t worry, I will be a full-time member of the MB.”
I guess that Toting felt alluded to by my not-so-blind item on his MB appointment. I wonder: Is having come from a government position three days before assuming a position enough to qualify one as a private sector person eligible for the position? Only asking.
At any rate, what is important is that the CB Governor and the members of the MB are above all politics. Toting Bunye will be an outstanding MB member, if he takes on the job full-time as he says he will.
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hvp 06.17.08)
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