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CNG buses ready to roll out - Arroyo


President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered buses may now ply the Batangas-Manila and Laguna-Manila route following the opening of a refueling station in Biñan, Laguna, on Wednesday. At the launching of the Pilipinas Shell-CNG refueling station, Mrs Arroyo said at least 19 CNG-powered buses are now operational in the Philippines, which are part of the initial 200 CNG-powered buses ordered abroad a couple of years ago. She said she expects the other buses to arrive soon, and that more transport operators would use CNG, which is in line with the country’s goals of achieving clean energy and energy independence. “I guess it’s like sleeping beauty awakening from the slumber because prince charming has already made the kiss," Mrs Arroyo said. “So now that the sleeping capital of the bus operators has been awaken by the prince charming, the Shell Station, now we will look forward to less smoke emission [because] the initial 19 buses are fueled by CNG," she said. The President said she hopes that within the next six months the rest of the 200 bus firms would follow. The President said some CNG-powered buses would soon be plying around Metro Manila under the Libreng Sakay promotional program of the Transportation and Communication and Energy departments to promote the use of CNG. Scott Fowler, the project manager of the CNG Pilot Projects in the Philippines, told Mrs Arroyo that they would also evaluate the commercial viability and impact of incentives and market demand of CNG-fueled public utility buses. The President in 2004 issued Executive Order 290 creating the Natural Gas Vehicle Program for Public Transport. The directive aims to enhance the energy supply security in the transport sector through fuel diversification using indigenous and environment-friendly natural gas. Mrs Arroyo also attended the ceremony that unveiled the project marker at the entrance of the CNG filling station. She witnessed the filling of one of the first 19 CNG buses by Shell Companies Philippines Country Chairman Edgar Chua. Secretary Angelo Reyes, Biñan Mayor Marilyn Naguiat, Shell Philippines Exploration (SPEX) Managing Director Facundo Roco and Malampaya operations head Keith Perrin joined the President in the event. The President said the country is faced with the “combined threat of rising oil prices and growing pollution" and the public offering of the CNG could not come at a more opportune time. “I congratulate everyone, for this project. This project is aimed at countering the threat of rising oil prices and pollution and reducing the quantity dependence on imported fuel and at the same time promoting cleaner air," she said She said the CNG, which is a product of the collaboration of the Shell and the Department of Energy, draws upon the resources and expertise of the private sector and the government's ability to provide a favorable investment climate and incentives toward successful business collaborations. The President urged Congress to pass the bill on the development and promotion of renewable energy sources or the Renewable Energy bill, which she said is a priority legislative measure. She said Congress was instrumental in the passage of the Bio-Fuels Act, which facilitated the mandated the use of one percent biofuel blend in gasoline and the eventual use of five percent bio-ethanol blend in two years. Mrs Arroyo said she is relying on them to likewise support the Renewable Energy bill. “It's good for our economy and good for the health and well-being of our people to have a strong economy and a clean environment," she said. - GMANews.TV

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