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| DOTr Assistant Secretary Dr. Maria Napalang keynotes the Low Carbon Transport forum at Novotel Manila in Cubao on January 7. (Photo by Gelaine Louise Gutierrez/PIA-NCR) |
QUEZON CITY, Jan 8 (PIA) -- The Department of Transportation (DOTr) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines engaged stakeholders from both the public and private sector to promote environmentally sustainable transport vehicles during the Low Carbon Transport forum at Novotel Manila in Araneta Cubao, January 7.
DOTr Assistant Secretary for Planning and Project Development Sheilah Napalang, on behalf of Secreatry Arthur Tugade, presented the advocacy of the transportation chief to the campaign for a clean environment.
"Change has indeed begun, and through this forum, we can further push for the deployment of modern vehicles that are environmentally sustainable. Let us come together and empower our country to use low carbon transport systems," said Asec. Napalang in her speech.
“Pollution from our public transport as major contributor is a clear obstacle towards the goal of making Filipino lives comfortable. Pollution is a silent killer and people are not fully aware that toxic chemicals affect their lungs during their daily commute," Napalang said.
She said the transport sector accounts for 38 percent of greenhouse gas emissions." Napalang added.
Shifting to low carbon will mean transporting people from one place to another without emitting as much greenhouse gases and pollutants that puts negative effects to the atmosphere.
The forum strategically addresses initiatives and key policies in enabling an environment for the commercialization of low carbon urban transport systems in the country. The event underlies a holistic view towards a sustainable low carbon transport with its main goal of reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from transport.
“Emissions have to go down and we can only achieve that if our transport system shift from a fossil fuel based petroleum towards solar and renewable electricity.” Climate Change Commission Undersecretary Rachel Herrera said.
In promoting low carbon emission vehicles, four approaches were identified in creating commercialize low carbon transport system.
These approaches include effective enforcement of policies for environment-friendly modes of transport, adopting and implementing low carbon transport programs, increasing private sector participation as well as investment in the commercialization of environment-friendly transport system.
Herrera said that we really need to consider improve our transport transport systems, because it has a huge effect on how we can transform into climate adaptive society.
"We are still in the stage where we promote low carbon urban transport especially electric vehicle and hybrid and the use fuel standards like Euro 4. We are now using innovative and alternatives ways to minimize the emissions but we will continuously strive to completely replace old and highly emitting vehicles in the future." DOTr-UNDP Project Manager Mario Tercero, for his part said.
Initiatives pushed by the Low Carbon Urban Transport System (LCUTS) include the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), the Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS), and the promotion of non-motorized transport through the Metro Manila Greenways project, among others. (PIA-NCR)
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