Saturday, June 23, 2007 Maxey: Onli in da Pilipins By Ram Maxey Bar None
NO SOONER have motorists gone gaga over the tremendous benefit, economy-wise, that their use of liquefied petroleum gas in their vehicles has given them than here comes the Department of Health (DOH) about to dash cold water on their enthusiasm.
DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III has ordered DOH's Environment and Health Office to conduct an investigation into still unconfirmed reports of alleged ill-effects of LPG-powered vehicles on people's health.
The use of LPG as an alternative to the more expensive regular and premium gasoline is a fast-growing trend these days. It saves as much as 30 percent on fuel compared to gasoline, but if it is hazardous to health, it is the responsibility of government, notably the DOH, to put a stop to its use.
But is it really hazardous to health? Or is this bugaboo a figment of the imagination of dealers of gasoline who are out to scare LPG users into abandoning their newly-found answer to the problem of expensive gasoline and revert back to the latter?
In fact, Secretary Duque has said that should the investigation prove that LPG use in vehicles is hazardous to one's health he would not hesitate to immediately recommend that the practice be stopped.
Ettu, Brutus?
ACCORDING to news reports, there was a "zero turnout" in the special election in the town of Taysan, Batangas last Monday. That's where the Pinagbayanan Elementary School building was burned down allegedly by armed men last May 15, one day after the holding of the national elections in the country.
That fire killed teacher Nelly Banaag and two poll watchers.
When asked why they did not vote in the special election, some of the registered voters replied that they had already voted last May 14, so why should they vote again? BULLSEYE!
Taysan's six precincts has a total of 1,188 registered voters. The acting
provincial election officer, Atty. Gloria Ramos-Petallo, told reporters that despite the non-appearance of a single voter for the special election, "The winners will be proclaimed." Gee whiz. How's that again?
It turns out that the special polls was for the election only of municipal councilors. To be proclaimed were the winning senators, governor/vice governor and mayor/vice mayor.
