A transport cooperative in Puerto Princesa City sought the assistance of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for the acquisition of P2-Million electronic bus, in its effort to contribute to the reduction of air pollutants by preferring environment-friendly vehicles.
Rizaldo Rodriguez, chairman of the Rotonda Tricycle Operators and Drivers Cooperative, who is also the program manager of the city government’s Trike Fund program, said their group composed of 700 tricycle drivers/ operators as members, has applied for the national government’s program for them to acquire electronic bus.
“Tinulungan kami ni DOST for the availment of e-Bus. Sana ay ma-release before year-end,” he said.
Rodriguez said that they tried to conduct a feasibility study on the viability of e-Trike operations in Puerto Princesa some years ago.
An e-trike manufacturer, Tojo, offered their e-trike unit for their group to pay on installment basis. However, this did not materialize because they opted to return the unit to the supplier for some reasons since they are still in the stage of determining the viability of the new technology.
“Noon ay gusto naming malaman kung meron bang ROI (Return of Investment) kasi medyo mahal worth P350,000 itong e-trike. Sold out na kami sa viability. Nandyan ang presence of charging station. Walang ingay, walang usok,” he explained.
The electronic vehicle also does not require gasoline and other fuel, and charging the vehicle is as easy as charging a cellphone, he further explained.
The government support to those who wanted to buy electronic vehicle is important to encourage more people to try using e-trike and e-bus.
“Sana kung may gustong mag-e-trike or mag e-bus ay e-subsidy ng government bukod sa loan,” he said.
He further explained that the government assistance and subsidy will encourage drivers and operators in the transport industry to shift into electronic vehicles.
Atty. Grezilda “Gerthie” Mayo-Anda, executive director of ELAC and also a member of Puerto Princesa City’s Clean Air Management Board (CAMB), she said that the city’s air quality was considered good in 2014.
Unfortunately, she said, its quality was tainted with the increasing number of vehicles that emit smoke. She further said that public transportation, more particularly the increasing number of tricycles in the city, are the main source of pollution.
“The air quality of Puerto Princesa City in 2014 was very good. Now, the major source of pollution in the city is (pubic) transportation. Apparently, wala naman tayong coal plant. Wala rin tayong mining. But we need to update the pollution level in major roads like Malvar, Rizal Avenue,” she said.
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