| Allen Rufo, TMP AVP for Service Operations; Elijah Sue Marcial, TMP PR Officer; Congressman Ronald V. Singson and Congressman Jose Ma. F. Zubiri III |
Ilocos Sur 1st District Representative Congressman Ronald V. Singson and Bukidnon 3rd District Representative Congressman Jose Ma. F. Zubiri III hope that they can make a dent in combating the continuous increase in fuel prices and curb greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles. Through House Bill 02084, they are lobbying for tax incentives of hybrid vehicles. Hybrid vehicles are currently not offered in the Philippine market due to the imposition of relatively high taxes. The approval of this bill would help car manufacturers bring these models into the country.
Singson and Zubiri opted to test drive the pioneer model for the hybrid technology, the Toyota Prius, to get a feel of its performance. As a hybrid, the Prius saves more fuel by using two power sources to propel the engine, the petrol-powered engine and the self-sustaining battery. Unlike any other conventional engine, the Prius recharges its battery whenever idle and at certain driving stages. The first hand experience of the lawmakers with the Prius convinced them that the benefits of the hybrid’s performance are worth their efforts.
The introduction of the hybrid technology will not only alleviate the impact of rising fuel prices and help restore a healthy environment but more importantly, will be the advent of a world that runs on sustainable energy sources.