MANILA, PHILIPPINES: Here comes another proposal to reduce dependence on oil in light of the rising prices of oil products.

Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon of Muntinlupa wants to encourage vehicle manufacturers to sell hybrid vehicles in the Philippines.

He said this will be a viable alternative in the wake of ever increasing fuel prices and the worsening air pollution in the nation's capital.

Hybrid vehicles are those that can run on either gasoline or electric power – and alternative fuels such as natural gas because the development of these vehicles "presents a ray of hope to the literally dimming world of mankind."

In introducing House Bill No. 2637, Biazon said the high incidence of pulmonary diseases, especially among children, in Metro Manila make it imperative that government support an endeavor to clear the skies through the use of cleaner and more efficient transport vehicles.

"More than any other time in our history as a nation, our government must now adopt policies and programs to arrest the deteriorating air quality in the country," Biazon said.

Among the incentives Biazon had outlined in his proposed bill include exception from import duties, excise, value-added and income taxes for the manufacture, sale, importation and distribution of hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles.

The same bill also proposed the exemption from toll fees and a 50 percent discount on parking fees for hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles.

Toyota, Mitsubishi and Mercedes Benz have been running alternative fuel vehicle programs in Europe and the United States. Toyota has released its first hybrid gas/electric car called the Toyota Prius in the United States.

Toyota Motor Corp. said it aims to sell one million hybrid vehicles a year.

Source:
http://news.yehey.com/news3.asp?i=83529&c=1