LPG-fueled cabs in Bacolod

Sometimes we can be fixated on national events, we hardly find time to ferret out what is happening in our own backyards. Things that contribute to the overall development picture.

Like, for example, the case of bio-fuel. We have been so engrossed on bio-ethanol and bio-fuel we hardly had time to consider that right in Bacolod a lot of taxi companies have already shifted to the use of LPG cum gasoline units. I learned this the other day, through the simple process of wondering how much the income of a cab driver could bring home at the end of the day. And the cab driver told me about the many taxi firms who had already converted their units to use of LPG cum gasoline. That means at least P300 additional income for the family daily.

I discovered that there is an LPG-gas station in Barangay Bata where most of these taxi units take their fuel. And also that one cab company with some 130 units has put up its LPG units offering a 5-year amortization for their cab units.

TUHL, the driver said, had converted its 30 units to LPG-gas fueled cars. And he mentioned several more taxi firms in the city having already converted their units to LPG-fueled vehicles.

And all the time, I have been discussing with friends here about how Cebu taxis are now operating with LPG. So with Manila's many cabs doing the same.

A local firm is reportedly charging P35,000 for the equipment used in converting a unit from pure gasoline to LPG-cum-gasoline. That's a lot cheaper than the price mentioned in TV shows of P70,000 for conversion.

Well, that only shows that a revolution in fuel use has gradually taken place right in our own locality. And we hardly knew about it.

***

Well, the Vatican has issued its 10 commandments against drunk and reckless driving.

Shows us that the Church is not unaware that vehicles have been used by some as a power-grabbing instrument. But one does not actually need a reminder from the Vatican to have our consciences pricked about the morality of driving.

Common sense should show us, for example, that driving a car or other vehicles is only a means of ensuring faster mobility and not as a means of showing power and driving dexterity.

A drag racer, for example, knows that he is risking his life, that of competing drivers and innocent civilians to death by racing down a street. It does not need a priest to remind him that it is a sin, and could be a fatal adventure.

For that matter, driving while drunk (or after a drinking binge) is supposed to be a "No-No". But most of us keep laboring under the illusion that we still remain compos mentis after imbibing four or more bottles of beer or half a bottle of whisky or brandy.

I had my epiphany in one case in Manila. While driving home to our residence in 333 Lakas Ng Bayan, Pasay City, one night, I thought I was in control with my brand new car. Unfortunately, I grazed it along the gate of our entrance after I had done the same at the corner of Taft and Lakas ng Bayan Street.

Anyway, that was one instance that sobered me up. I don't think we have to wait for an occasion like that to convince us that we could possibly harm ourselves or others.

***

Wednesday was one of those rare occasions when I had to go to Bata via the Circumferential Road. That's something my son, Jay, would never dare do.

But Wednesday the cab driver told me that it was already negotiable. And I give my nod to the suggestion. Well, I must admit that the potholes remain impediments. But of course, there were stretches of the highway which are undergoing repairs. But the potholes remain gaping and require one to dodge them if one refuses to hazard the spring giving way. I wonder when the Department of Public Works and Highway could come up with the budgetary outlay for the repairs. That is imperative. The public has the right to know how much is the allotment for the project. And the specifications for how long and how deep should be the work.

I was just wondering how many casual workers have been hired for the project. Perhaps, whoever had authored that projects should be able to convince the DPWH to come up with the details of the project. And how long it will take.

***

It is good that AFP chief of staff Esperon has softened his stand insofar as the Trillanes case is concerned. That is a hopeful sign that he will not risk the collective ire of AFP members and the general public toppling down the AFP top hierarchy if he remains obdurate in his opposition to Trillanes taking his place among the elected Senators of the country.*

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