Dumaguete City, dubbed as the “Motorcycle Capital of the Philippines,” with approximately 2,500 registered tricycles, is now being considered as the pilot area of the Department of Energy’s e-Trike Program.
According to George Vincent Bitoon, a senior research specialist of the Department of Energy, the use of E-Trikes over regular four-stroke, gasoline-run tricycles give drivers about 40 percent increase in their net daily income.
E-Trikes also do not contribute to air and noise pollution because it run on lithium-ion batteries, said Bitoon.
To avail of E-Trike units, drivers together with local government units must submit a letter of undertaking indicating a plan to implement the E-Trike “Lease-to-Own” Program.
“LGUs shall commit to provide an enabling environment to support the adaptation of E-Trikes in its locality such as issuance of ordinances, Sanggunian resolutions, grant incentives and conduct of IECs on E-Trike with Tricycle Operators & Drivers Associations,” Bitoon added.
The DOE Visayas Field Office and the Energy Resource Development & Utilization Division has conducted an Information, Education and Communication Campaign on Alternative Fuels recently in Dumaguete City.
It promoted the use of alternative fuels which include natural gas vehicle program for public transport, and auto-LPG program and electric vehicles program.
“This is a key priority of government to mainstream access of the greater majority to reliable energy sources and fuel, most importantly to increase local productivity,” Director Antonio Labios of DOE-Visayas Field Office said.
Labios emphasized the importance of good governance, stakeholder participation, transparency and multi-sectoral partnership for the success of the DOE’s programs.
The agency also highlighted the economic advantages of using renewable fuel sources for the benefit of businesses and consumers.
Participant-members of various local drivers’ associations, LGUs from Bayawan and Tanjay, academic sector and representatives from provincial government agencies have been taught practical energy conservation tips by the DOE. (PIA/Michico Bitoon)
