The drive for a greener city starts with a ride according to Rommel Juan of Binalot Food Fiesta, the first business enterprise to “adopt” eJeepney units for Makati’s Green Route. The President and CEO of the restaurant chain explains that the adoption of the eJeepney units is part of the company’s environmental advocacy. “We have always advocated a greener environment which is why we support projects such as the Makati Green Route. We have decided to adopt two eJeepneys as our way of helping promote the use of alternative energy and cleaner forms of transportation.”
Makati Green Route is a project of the Makati City government in cooperation with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) and the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines that offers free eJeepney rides to commuters in Legaspi and Salcedo villages.
“It’s the first electronic jeep given an orange (the international color for electricity) plate by the LTO,” says Bong Cruz of Philippine Utility Vehicles Inc., manufacturer of the eJeepney.
The vehicle is considered environment-friendly because it does not create noise or produce harmful exhaust emissions like carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide that can contribute to climate change at excessive levels. Various studies have shown that every liter of diesel avoided results in a reduction of 3,140 grams of CO2 (carbon dioxide) and 16 grams of N2O (nitrous oxide) released to the atmosphere.
The ICSC, with assistance from the Stichting Doen Foundation, has provided initial funding but the maintenance and operation of the vehicles will be funded using an advertising-based business model. “In addition to adopting two eJeepneys, we have also placed ads in other running units to support the daily operation. We are also providing meals for the drivers until February 2010,” Juan shares.
He is referring to Binalot meals – Filipino favorites wrapped in banana leaves – which promote local culture in addition to being biodegradable. Juan explains, “We’re already proud of the fact that we’re an environment-friendly food chain but we felt we needed to do more, hence our support for the eJeepneys. We hope that by helping establish the Makati Green Route, we can help make our cities greener.”
