Mr. Macaraig was a taxi driver living on P500 a day. Aside from worsening traffic, high maintenance costs and occasional rarity of customers, the soaring price of gasoline has kept him from getting the most out of his trips and taking home a larger pay.

Now, he is able to earn around P500 more daily with the use of automotive liquefied petroleum gas. Often referred to as auto LPG or autogas, this type of alternative fuel is gaining broad acceptance, especially from the public transport sector, as the country learns to cope with expensive fuel.

According to the Department of Energy (DOE), there are already 3,955 autogas vehicles nationwide as of last March. The use of auto LPG is more common in other countries such as South Korea, Japan and Australia.

Although conversion kits cost from P25,000 to as much as P70,000 depending on engine type, many consumers consider the shift from gasoline to auto LPG as more economical in the long run.

Firstly, autogas is cheaper than gasoline, selling for P20.50 to P22.50 per liter compared with P35.05 to P37.70 per liter of unleaded gas. With such price advantage, most taxi drivers are able to recover their conversion costs in less than a year.

Running on auto LPG also leads to lower maintenance costs as the fuel reduces wear during cold starts and prolongs engine life due to its clean burning characteristic.

Besides the practical benefits, autogas causes less harm to the environment, with 20 percent less ozone-forming potential, 10 to 15 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions, and up to 80 percent less air toxic emissions.

Auto LPG is also safe and nontoxic. The tank is made of carbon steel that is 20 times more puncture resistant than a typical gasoline tank. It is fitted with safety devices that shut when the tank reaches 80 percent of capacity, and when there is a leak in the fuel line.

Despite the advantages, many consumers are still reluctant to use autogas or ride in autogas vehicles due to health and safety concerns. Another issue is the emergence of disreputable installers whose lack of technical capability and safety measures pose danger to drivers and passengers on the road.

To ensure the safety of consumers, the Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) requires all manufacturers, importers and distributors of auto LPG cylinders to subject their products to rigid tests and inspections based on PNS 04:1983, or the Specification for Automotive LPG Steel Cylinders for Use in Motor Vehicles.

This standard specifies the requirements for the material, construction, design, testing and marking of auto LPG steel containers. Those manufacturers and importers whose products pass the tests are issued with the Philippine Standard (PS) License and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC), respectively.

The BPS also implements PNS 05:1983, or the Code of Practice for the Use of LPG System in Internal Combustion Engine. This standard prescribes the rules and requirements for the design, construction, installation, operation, maintenance and fueling of LPG equipment, used either wholly or in part for the fueling of internal combustion engines.

As of February 2007, the PS licensees or licensed manufacturers of auto LPG cylinders are Ferrotech Steel Corp. and FSC Metal Corp. The ICC holders or licensed importers are NAIADSS Corp., Macro Liquid Petroleum Gas Co. Inc., Lovely Home Inc., and Ambienergy Enterprises. The BPS has also recognized a total of 17 auto LPG converters.

Moreover, the DOE issued Department Circular 2007-02-2002 which states the guidelines for supplying, hauling, storage, handling, marketing and distribution of auto LPG. This came into effect last March 6 and is due for full implementation on June 4.

Among the salient features of the said circular is the requirement for dispensing stations to refill only autogas cylinders which conform to the relevant standards. Establishments engaged in the business of auto LPG should also secure a Standards Compliance Certificate from the DOE before operating.

With strict industry regulation, there is reason for the public to trust the safety of auto LPG. Likewise, consumers benefit as they have more options for choosing the right fuel that suits their needs and budget.

Thus, the government, together with the autogas industry, is constantly looking for ways to spread accurate information and earn greater approval from the public on the use of this alternative fuel.

* * *

Send your feedback and queries to konsyumeratbp@gmail.com. For in-depth information on consumer issues, listen to Konsyumer Atbp. every Saturday, 10:00-11:30 a.m. over dzMM 630kHz. For consumer complaints, call the DTI Consumer Assistance Hotline 751-3330 or Text DTI<space>complaint and send to 2920 for Globe and Smart subscribers.

THE Canadian mining firm TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. will soon start exploration in Jose Dalman, Zamboanga del Norte, after the tribal council of elders of the Subanen in Tamarok finally agreed to allow mineral exploration in their ancestral land.

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is drawing up a blueprint for a number of its subsectors to ensure they will contribute to the 4 to 5 percent growth rate being targeted by the department for this year.

DAVAO CITY—The government wants the country’s mango exports to increase by 15 percent over the next three years, propped up by a national expansion program and a subsequent rise in per capita consumption of the fruit among Filipinos.

AN OPPOSITION congressman said Wednesday that Malacañang had itself to blame for the dismal revenue collection during the first quarter of the year, which saw the government missing its target revenue collection by at least 7 percent.

Mr. Macaraig was a taxi driver living on P500 a day. Aside from worsening traffic, high maintenance costs and occasional rarity of customers, the soaring price of gasoline has kept him from getting the most out of his trips and taking home a larger pay.