A month after it was formally launched by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Government’s Natural Gas Vehicle Program for Public Transport got the much needed push as more than 130 bus operators and owners signed today a manifesto supporting the implementation of the program.

The bus operators and owners were represented by Ramon R. Castillo, president of Metro Manila Bus Operators Association; Claire dela Fuente, president of the Integrated Metro Manila Bus Operators Association; Michael Potenciano, president of the Southern Luzon Bus Operators Association; Aladin A. Simundac, president of the Inter City Bus Operators Association and Alejandro R. Yague, Jr., president of the Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines. Energy Secretary Vincent S. Perez, Jr. and Environment Secretary Heherson Alvarez witnessed the event.

“We, as bus operators and owners, have the responsibility to promote pollution-free transport. We are committed to support the development of cleaner alternatives to gasoline and diesel. We, therefore, express our support for the Natural Gas Vehicle Program for Public Transport spearheaded by the DOE because we believe that the use of natural gas to fuel our fleets reflects our environmental stewardship,” the groups said.

With the manifesto of support, the bus operators and owners committed to convert portion of their existing fleets to natural gas-fired or purchase OEM (original equipment manufacturing) gas buses.

“We are committed to converting a portion of our fleet to run on natural gas or to purchasing OEM natural gas buses. We shall undertake all necessary measures to maintain the integrity and efficiency of our fleets and shall exercise all precaution to ensure the safety of our passengers, staff and facilities,” they said.

Initially, California Bus Lines (CBL) has committed that it will purchase 100 OEM natural gas buses as its contribution to the natural gas vehicle program for public transport.

The bus operators and owners have also committed to “maintain high quality service by keeping their staff highly skilled in NGV operation, repair and maintenance.”

At the same time, the group urged the Government to also exert efforts to help create a favorable environment for the transport sector.

“We shall continue to maintain an abiding faith in the wisdom of the Government to create a favorable climate for the growth of the public transport sector,” they said.

Secretary Perez hailed the show of strong support by the bus operators and owners, saying that this initiative will help accelerate the Arroyo government’s drive to utilize indigenous energy sources and at the same time fuel the growth of the transport sector.

“The President has given her administration’s commitment to fully support the development of the natural gas industry when she laid down last month the initiatives various government agencies are pursuing. This manifesto of support from the private sector will certainly compliment our program to achieve a self-sufficient energy sector, a clean environment and a progressive transport sector,” he said.

“I am very pleased to accept this Manifesto of Support from the bus operators and owners because with this we become firm allies in a worthwhile undertaking to secure our energy supply and enjoy cleaner air,” he added.

During the launching of the natural gas vehicle program for transport sector last month, President Arroyo announced the initiatives being worked out by different agencies to boost the widespread utilization of natural gas as an alternative fuel.

The DOE is working closely with the Tariff Commission to prepare a separate tariff line for NGV conversion systems, refueling systems compressor, filter, storage, retrofit NGV engines, OEM and other related facilities or components to substantially reduce tariff rates.

The DOE is also coordinating with the Board of Investments (BOI) to issue additional guidelines to include refueling stations, terminals and other facilities in the 2002 Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) Guidelines.

In addition to two Manila-Batangas and one Manila-Bicol franchise routes and the opening of C-5 to natural gas buses, the Metro Manila Development Authority shall also open the NAIA 3-Roxas Boulevard-Makati route exclusively to natural gas buses.

Likewise, the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) is expected to issue a Department Order that will exempt compressed natural gas vehicles from testing and consider these vehicles to have complied with emission standards.

The DENR, on the other hand, will no longer ask companies planning to construct refueling stations to secure an environmental compliance certificate (ECC). Instead the DENR will only require an Initial Environmental Examination checklist.

Secretary Perez also said that there are already financial packages available for those who wish to take part on the program. Particularly, the Asian Development Bank has allocated a $120 million Air Pollution Control Credit Facility for financing equipment, facilities, new processes for cleaner air technologies and alternative fuels, and purchase or rehabilitation of buses.

The facility is administered by the Land Bank of the Philippines, which has also a two general lending windows, the Retail Countryside Fund and the Countryside Loan Fund III that may be tapped for refueling stations and related facilities.

The Development Bank of the Philippines also offers financing facility for clean fuels through its Total Environment Program Facility.