Electric Jeepney: The New King of the Road (Wow Philippines)

This icon of Philippine culture gets a makeover.

Now, it's modern...

It's hi-tech...

It's cleaner...

But it's still very Pinoy.

Hail to the new King!

By: Remus Mark

by Momar Visaya, Exclusive Stories, Asianjournal. com, July 14, 2007 MAKATI CITY - The Philippine jeepney, one of the most recognizable icons of Filipino culture, is getting an upgrade.

Last week, Greenpeace, GRIPP (Green Renewable Independent Power Producers), and the Makati City government, launched the first batch of Electric Jeepneys in the Philippines. The e-jeepneys, the first public transport system of its kind in Southeast Asia, made a historic test drive in this city, the country's financial capital.

"Makati City welcomes the opportunity to be part of this initiative and is enthusiastic in pioneering it in the country. It is clear that, in addressing solid waste and air pollution issues, and in offering a much cheaper fuel alternative to jeepney drivers who service the city's main routes, the project will result in clear, tangible benefits for Makati citizens," announced Makati Mayor Jejomar C. Binay.

The Electric Jeepneys under GRIPP's Climate Friendly Cities project are meant to steer clear of fossil fuels and help mitigate climate change even as they address urban environmental problems such as air pollution and solid waste.

"We intend to test-run the project here in Makati for about three months. Right now, the e-jeepneys' route is being discussed," Red Pasetes, a representative of Makati City's Information and Community Relations Department told the Asian Journal. Pasetes added that if the e-jeepneys are found to be "viable, cost-efficient and successful in eliminating waste," then the city would push for the use of more e-jeepneys.

Greenpeace Southeast Asia Campaigns Director Von Hernandez praised Makati City for stepping up.

"The Electric Jeepneys demonstrate how cities can help mitigate the problem of climate change. Given the urgency of the need to address this global threat, it is encouraging to see pioneering cities like Makati take the initiative in implementing measures that would avoid the use of climate change-inducing fossil fuels," he said.

The two e-Jeepneys are part of a fleet designed in the country by Philippine renewables firm Solar Electric Company. They will undergo technical and commercial tests for three months in Makati City and eventually in key areas in the province of Negros Occidental. The electric fleet will be increased to 50 units upon successful conclusion of the test phase.

During the launch, the city government of Makati, together with officials of GRIPP and Greenpeace, signed a memorandum of understanding.

As stated in the project's MOU, the city will provide e-jeepneys a charging facility that will generate power from the biodegradable wastes from the city's food establishments and wet markets.

The e-jeepneys can run for 80 to 100 kilometers on a single charge over a period of 8 to 10 hours.

"The Electric Jeepneys aim to demonstrate that there are climate-friendly alternatives to the current polluting modes of public transportation in the Philippines. The iconic jeepney remains, but without wasteful and carbon emitting diesel, and while providing increased incomes to the vehicles' drivers," said Athena Ballestros Ronquillo, founder and chair of GRIPP, the lead proponent of the e-Jeepneys initiative.

"The pilot test in Makati is meant to ensure the technical, commercial, environmental and social feasibility of the project. If the project is successful, our hope is that the project will be replicated in other cities in the country and possibly other Asian capitals." she added.

In support of the project, celebrities and Greenpeace supporters Angel Aquino, Amanda Griffin, Raya Mananquil, and Richard Gutierrez also graced the occasion along with officials of Makati's transport cooperatives. Leaders of the city's transport federations expressed their support for the test phase of the project.

"Greenpeace supports solutions-oriented technological and scientific innovations that can help stop climate change. The E-Jeepneys are a clear example of our `Simple Lang' project that calls upon Filipino citizens and institutions to adopt simple yet effective measures to help avert catastrophic climate change. We applaud Makati for showing leadership by taking on the test phase of this project. We challenge other cities to implement similar projects and hope that Makati City can also take this opportunity to lead in the implementation of other solutions particularly in the areas of energy use and efficiency," Hernandez added.

An Electric Jeepney (E-Jeepney), the first public transport system of its kind in Southeast Asia, coasts along Ayala Avenue in the Philippines' financial capital of Makati City. The jeepneys - electric-powered version of the Philippine icon which traces its roots to the US Willy's jeep - were launched by GRIPP (Green Renewable Independent Power Producer), Greenpeace, and the Makati City Government. The Electric Jeepneys, part of an innovative project led by GRIPP, are meant to steer clear of the use of fossil fuels to help mitigate climate change, even as they address urban problems such as air pollution and solid waste.

Remus Mark A. Carballo Travel Specialist /Mobile Indonesia +6281331516577 / Mobile Philippines +639216535874 / Mobile Singapore +6581043881