Greenpeace in the Philippines

GRIPP (Green Renewable Independent Power
Producer) and Greenpeace today inaugurated the commercial run of
innovative
electric-powered jeepneys, or E-Jeepeneys, which will now ply a
commercial route in Makati City’s Central Business District, the
country’s financial center.
   
       
      
The first public transport system of its kind in Southeast Asia, the
E-Jeepney intends to steer clear of the use of fossil fuels to help
mitigate climate change while addressing problems such as air
pollution, solid waste, and rising oil prices.  It does so as part of
the Climate Friendly Cities project, an integrated transport and waste
management initiative pioneered by a consortium of organizations led by
GRIPP with Greenpeace, together with various cities and private sector
players. The project demonstrates that cities can take the lead in
helping address global climate change by promoting sustainable
transport tied in with renewable energy-based technologies.

The E-Jeepneys ply their commercial route three days to the year the
first two test units were launched in Makati City.  The DOTC
(Department of Transportation and Communication) Planning and Transport
Division only released the E-Jeepney’s guidelines for registration last
April 28, allowing it on public roads ten months after the E-Jeepney’s
introduction.  The final wait before the E-Jeepney’s full operation is
the go-signal from the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising Board)
which will authorize the franchise and fare.

"After a long period of waiting we are very happy that E-Jeepneys have
now been given the green light to ply commercial routes first in the
City of Makati, one of our champion cities.  Soon the E-Jeepney will be
in the Cities of Puerto Prinsesa, Bacolod, and Baguio," said GRIPP
Chairperson Athena Ballestros.

"The Electric Jeepney is a win-win solution for all stakeholders. It
provides a climate-friendly alternative to polluting, fossil-fuel based
modes of transport, and enhanced income to jeepney drivers.  The
government should be embracing this project instead of letting the
proponents suffer from long delays in licensing and registration
procedures," she added.

A total of four units manufactured locally by GRIPP partner
MVPMAP(Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the
Philippines), will initially make its rounds in Legazpi and Salcedo
Villages in Makati City.  The number will steadily be increased to
fifty also as new routes are determined.  The fare is waived for the
first couple of weeks while the LTFRB’s  decision is pending.

"Given skyrocketing fossil fuel prices and the imminent threat of
dangerous climate change caused largely by fossil fuels, innovations
such as the E-Jeepney, which promote renewable energy solutions, should
be the technology of choice of developing countries like ours.  The
Philippines stands to lose opportunities with the current oil crisis,
and we stand to lose even more lives and livelihoods with the onset of
severe climate change impacts," said Greenpeace Southeast Asia
Executive Director Von Hernandez.  "Clearly, urgent solutions are
needed.  Aside from initiatives by cities such as this project, the
national government should institute large-scale climate change
solutions such as phasing out coal-fired power plants, and the
immediate passage of a strong renewable energy legislation by the
Senate."

The project is sponsored in part by the Dutch Doen Foundation and is
currently supported by Makati, Baguio and Puerto Princesa Cities.