The Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary, Jose de Jesus, will exempt buses that run on compressed natural gas from the moratorium on the registration of new public utility vehicles in an effort to curb pollution, reports the Philippine Daily Inquirer. The government imposed the moratorium to curb the rise in the number of buses plying Metro Manila roads, exacerbating traffic jams and pollution in the process.
De Jesus issued Department Order No. 2011-14, directing the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to open its franchise window for brand-new CNG-powered buses and requiring the LTFRB to furnish the DOTC with copies of related franchise agreements.
“CNG-fueled vehicles are environment-friendly, and compliant with the Philippine initiatives on the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as help promote the use of alternative fuels in public transportation facilities. Hence, the DOTC promotes the use of this type of vehicles,” De Jesus reportedly said.
