Prelate seeks review of LPG use in air-con PUVs

MANILA, Philippines - Citing tales of deaths caused by their fumes, a senior Catholic bishop sought a review of the use of liquefied petroleum (LPG) in closed air-conditioned public utility vehicles (PUVs). Lingayen-Dagupan archbishop Oscar Cruz made the call over the weekend after noting that LPG has been gaining popularity as an alternative fuel for public utility vehicles. "Whether it is true or not that there is someone big in the national scenery with big conspirators poised to make big money for selling the big idea of LPG for fuel, the fact stands that more and more vehicles are undergoing conversion from gasoline and diesel consumption to LPG use. With the required motor conversion, it has become evident that LPG is a cheaper fuel, prompting motorists to save money, drivers of public utility vehicles to earn more, and the air to become less polluted," he said in his web log. The prelate issued the call in the wake of yet another round of fuel price hikes, this time involving a P3/liter increase in prices of diesel. Cruz said tales of death inside LPG-powered taxis is something "not only dangerous but also rather sinister" that experts should look into carefully and attentively. He suggested that the experts talk to drivers, "especially of buses and taxis," to assiduously and intently listen to their experience with the use LPG as fuel. Cruz said LPG appears to be a good alternative for "open-air" vehicles like jeepneys and "regular" buses, where air can circulate through the open windows. "(But) LPG is quite threatening for any and all closed transport vehicles like air-conditioned taxis, buses, cars, i.e., where air is basically kept in for cooling purposes," he said. He said an honest-to-goodness research should be done in this matter of sickness or death for drivers and passengers, lest LPG get a bad reputation as an alternative fuel. Cruz cited tales of air-conditioned vehicles, especially those with aging engines, posing a danger to their drivers and passengers if they use LPG. - GMANews.TV