DOE-VFO OIC Director Jose Rey D. Maleza briefs the attendees of the second Auto-LPG TWG meeting for Region VI held last Thursday (17 October) at the Days Hotel in Iloilo City.

ILOILO CITY – In line with the efforts of the Department of Energy (DOE) to help seek affordable and environment-friendly fuel alternatives to public transportation groups, the DOE-Visayas Field Office (VFO) spearheaded the second Western Visayas Auto-Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting last Thursday (17 October) at the Days Hotel. 

“As we continue to explore the viability of utilizing auto-LPG as a transport fuel option, it is important for the Department to establish the necessary framework, policies, rules, and guidelines that would ensure the safe and effective utilization of this resource, not only in Metro Manila, but nationwide,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said. 

DOE-VFO’s Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Director, Jose Rey D. Maleza, delivered the welcoming remarks, wherein he emphasized the need for the TWG to come up with ways to boost the safe use of auto-LPG in Western Visayas. 

Meanwhile, Senior Science Research Specialist from the Alternative Fuels and Energy Technology Division of the DOE-Energy Utilization Management Bureau, Loreto B. Moncada, discussed the salient features of Joint Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2016, which created the TWG on the use of Auto-LPG as Fuel for Public Transport. 

Among the issues discussed during the meeting is the apparent decrease in auto-LPG end-users. OIC Director Maleza attributed this downtrend to the spread of inaccurate information, such as supposed adverse health effects on drivers and commuters, which has negatively affected the public’s perception on auto-LPG. As a response, the Group was urged to strengthen measures to uphold auto-LPG technology.

In addition, VFO-Energy Resource Development and Utilization Division Chief Lourdes S. Arciaga recommended to include the fast-tracking of the training and certification of the region’s auto-LPG technicians in the TWG’s work plan. 

Co-chaired by the DOE-EUMB, the TWG meeting was attended by representatives from the Land Transportation Office, Energy Management Bureau, Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Health, Department of Science and Technology, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

The TWG is set to meet again before the end of this year to finalize the list of permanent and alternate representatives of each TWG member-agency.

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