Solutions to rising fuel cost

On my way home one night, I got to ride shotgun with the jeepney driver. I found out that the driver is not merely a hired help but the son of the owner of the jeepney. The vehicle we are riding is their source of income. And it helped finance the college study of the boy.

The topic of our discussion went around the prospect of father and son to minimize overhead cost that is fuel. At that time, diesel prices were running at about 55 to 56 pesos per liter.

A leading means of coping with rising fuel prices is conversion of vehicle engines to liquefied petroleum gas burning ones. Since that solution only works for lighter vehicles with lighter loads like taxis, the key to saving on fuel for this family is converting their diesel engine so it can run on biodiesel.

I learned from the driver that the government is actually offering jeepney owners a P450,000 loan to have their engines replaces with custom biodiesel consuming engines. The amount also includes components like specialized fuel tanks and pipes and other engine parts.

Another option is a much cheaper refit costing only P50,000 pesos.

As a graduate of marine engineering, the driver knows some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a new set of engines and doing a simple refit.

While I forgot all about the pros and cons of the solutions, I was able to remember the thoughts of the driver on his father's plan to buy a new jeepney instead.

To him, a refit or a new engine beats buying a new jeep. First among his considerations is the cost. He thought they can save hundreds of thousands with a new engine and some minor repairs on the chassis and the body.

The move of the government to assist owners of public utility vehicles is, at best, a noble one. But I believe, the government can do better. With all the minds, skills, and experiences at its disposal, they could have come up with a better solution.

Sure, fuel cost is affected by rising world oil prices and fluctuations of the dollar but a solution will always present itself. The govern should just take a closer look at things and have an open mind. What they should keep closed are their thoughts to having prospective campaign sponsors from big oil companies whose reservoir of black gold is almost drained.

Expense or convenience

Just last week, the construction of the C-5 U-turn flyover has concluded. Now vehicles coming from Makati and Quezon City can use the flyover to get to Pasig or Pateros via Buting.



In the past, commuters and drivers alike need to go further to get to Buting after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority implemented the no left turn rule in C-5. They will either turn right to Kalayaan and make a U-turn near Fort Bonifacio's Gate or drive ahead and around Market! Market! to be in Pateros. Some opted to use the new bridge in Sta. Rosa, Pasig.



This new u-turn flyover has come as a convenience to these travelers.

But just how many need this flyover? Will this prove to be the convenience people need or be just like the flyover in Meralco Avenue that crosses Julia Vargas where only a trickle of the daily rush hour travel fly through? We'll soon see.