Monday, November 12, 2007 Use more bio-fuel to save, for cleaner air: lawmakers
TWO Capitol lawmakers expressed support for the use of bio-fuel instead of fossil fuel in the transportation, commercial and industrial sectors.
“The price of oil in the world market has skyrocketed to an unprecedented US$90 per barrel, and is less likely to go down in the near future because of the reported scarcity of supply from oil-producing countries,” said the resolution co-sponsored by Provincial Board (PB) Members Victor Maambong and Agnes Magpale.
They are also pushing for resolution that encourages all local government units of Cebu to take active roles in the observance of Clean Air Month.
November is the Philippine Clean Air Month.
Although the Philippines has started using bio-fuel, Maambong and Magpale believe the amount used has failed to make an impact in the country’s dependence on fossil fuel.
Handful
“The law requires only that a percentage of bio-fuel is mixed with the regular fuel, and there are only a handful of bio-fuel producers in the country,” the resolution read.
Maximum use of bio-fuel would mean less dependence on imported fossil fuel. This translates to savings and less emissions of carbon dioxide.
Bio-fuels include ethanol, coco-diesel and other agriculture-based alternative and renewable sources of fuel.
“We support the call for maximum development and use of bio-fuel and other renewable energy sources to bring about a healthier environment and save us precious dollar resources,” the resolution added.
Accountable
In the other resolution, also sponsored by Maambong and Magpale, the lawmakers called on local executives to be “directly accountable to their constituents” in addressing environmental issues affecting their communities.
This concern should cross political boundaries, they added.
In the United States, California and 14 other states are demanding urgent action on cleaner air and global warming from the US Environmental Protection Agency.
They filed a lawsuit seeking to force a decision about whether California can enact the country’s first emission standards for cars and light trucks. Automakers are trying to block the standards.
The states want to take aggressive action to address one of the leading causes of global warming, but the Bush administration prefers a hands-off approach to regulation. (JGA/With AP)
