Multi-sectoral group stages clean air road show

A mini-caravan for clean air was staged recently by a multi-sectoral group, featuring a demonstration on how coco-biodiesel eliminates the problem of smoke belching and saves money for motorists.

Amidst ongoing discussions on the benefits of alternative fuels in line with the country’s move towards energy independence, another factor that should be considered is the environmental aspect of its use. Alternative fuels, when added to diesel or gasoline, have been proven to be friendlier to air. In fact, a vehicle that uses coco-biodiesel, or coconut methyl ester (CME) could effectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions while increasing its mileage run for every liter of fuel.

The road show, which ran for a week in May covered the provinces of Cavite (Trece Martires) Batangas (Lipa), Laguna (San Pablo), Quezon (Infanta), Rizal (Antipolo City) and Bulacan (Malolos). The road show was capped by a closing event in San Fernando, Pampanga. It was jointly organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine Biodiesel Association, the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Energy and Clean Air Project (ECAP) and Vic Milan of KALIKASAN Vigilante. Milan, an advocate of alternative fuel, developed the Clean Air Caravan’s concept, encouraged by his personal experience of having made the longest single test in using the additive for over a distance of more than 4,000 kilometers, achieving an extra mileage record of 29 percent.

The Clean Air Caravan’s highlight was a demonstration on the benefits of using biodiesel, in cooperation with Chemrez, Inc., the first and largest producer of coco-biodiesel in Asia. For each stop, emission levels of randomly selected vehicles in the localities were tested to provide a baseline data for comparison. The fuels of these vehicles were then mixed with a coco-biodiesel additive manufactured by Chemrez, Inc. The same vehicles were subjected to emission tests again, 30 minutes after the biodiesel additive was introduced into the fuel. The results showed marked difference in the emission levels of the vehicles before and after the use of coco-biodiesel. Jeepneys whose emission levels were above 8 (the standard emission level for diesel-fed vehicles is 2.5) that were loaded with coco-biodiesel were tested with opacimeter readings of below 2 after idling the engines with the additive for just thirty minutes.

The caravan also featured talks on the benefits of using biodiesel. Public health specialists Belinda B. Villasencio and Helen Calong of the Lung Center of the Philippines discussed the ill effects of air pollution from mobile sources.

In emphasizing the value of the transport sector’s role in the national campaign for cleaner air, ECAP chief of arty Renato Goco said "ECAP believes that the transport sector and their families have the biggest stake in the fight against the threat of air pollution. Their compliance with clean air standards and efforts to use environment-friendly fuel are investments for their families’ future. It will pave the way for a healthier life and ensure economic security."

ECAP’s participation in this campaign is part of the project’s call to action for various sectors in the community to recognize their roles and stakes in the issue. "We need to realize that to improve quality in the country, we have to take responsibility. In the drive for cleaner air, everyone has a role," said Goco.