MACRO Liquefied Petroleum Gas Co. Inc. eyes to expand its operation in Baguio, Cebu and Davao by putting up more auto-LPG stations to serve its increasing number of clients.

Michael Ianlisan, the firm’s chief operating officer, said his company is expecting to convert 15,000 units of public-utility vehicles before the end of the year with the increasing popularity gained by the dual-fuel system, which makes use of a 70-30 diesel or gasoline and auto-LPG mixture.

There are at present 53 auto-LPG refueling stations in Metro Manila where dual-fuel system-converted vehicles can refuel.

“We are expanding in Baguio, Cebu and Davao.  Of course, it will all depend on the market demand,” he said.

The process of using auto-LPG requires the conversion of the vehicle from single to dual-fuel system, which costs P130,000 for buses, P70,000 for jeepneys, and P25,000 to P55,000 for taxi units.

So far, at least 15 percent of the 28,000 taxi units that operate in Metro Manila use auto-LPG.

MGE Transport Corp., which has 550 taxi units, had all its units converted into dual-fuel system.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday launched the first batch of public-utility buses and jeepneys that run on auto-LPG, highlighting the agency’s 20th anniversary. 

The LTFRB is endorsing the conversion from a single-fuel system to dual-fuel system despite the clamor by some sectors to look into the system’s adverse effects on human health.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III vowed to look into unverified reports that auto-LPG poses health risk to drivers and passengers. Several taxi passengers have allegedly complained about strange odors inside LPG-fueled cabs, which the company dismissed as mere speculation.

In a statement, Macro LPG Co. Ltd. said LPG is safer compared to gasoline and has been around since the 1950s.

The company said over 9 million vehicles all over the world are LPG-fueled.  LPG tanks are made of carbon steel and are 20 times tougher than gasoline tanks.

LPG engine fuel systems, the company said, are equipped with safety devices and shut-off valves that function automatically if the fuel line ruptures.

The strange smell inside LPG-fuel cabs happen sometimes with the older cabs.  The same way as in any fuel, a harmless odorant is added to the LPG so that leaks can be detected, the company explained.  Unlike gasoline, however, people would be disturbed when they smell the LPG odorant in the cab because they are not used to it.

A study made in cooperation with the Provincial Bus Operators of the Philippines and the Pasang Masda transport group revealed that dual-fuel system saves gasoline and diesel compared to that of single fuel system.

The same study revealed that drivers’ and bus conductors’ income increase by as much as 40 percent in using auto-LPG compared to using diesel or gasoline.   

THE export of chicken and pork products to Singapore from the Philippines may be more viable by next month, a private sector representative said.

TRADE Secretary Peter Favila has appealed to small and medium-sized exporters (SMEs) not to lose hope in the face of a strong peso, and reiterated his assurance that measures are underway to keep them afloat.

AN IMPORTER of chicken and poultry products has filed charges against Bureau of Customs (BOC) commissioner Napoleon Morales with the Ombudsman for allegedly conducting an illegal seizure of its cargo valued at around P30 million.

MACRO Liquefied Petroleum Gas Co. Inc. eyes to expand its operation in Baguio, Cebu and Davao by putting up more auto-LPG stations to serve its increasing number of clients.

MIRANT Philippines Corp. reported Thursday it is working closely with the new owners of its Philippine assets, Crimsonpower Holdings Inc., to assure a smooth hand over for problem-free operations.