Senator Ralph G. Recto today graced the launching of the first e-jeepney commercial franchise which will start serving the Legaspi Village and Salcedo Village loops starting March 1.

Recto, author of the Alternative Fuel Vehicles Incentives Act of 2011, led the symbolic ride/drive together with Secretary Lucille Sering of the Climate Change Commission, Red Constantino of Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, Yuri Sarmiento of EJeepney Transport Corporation and other representatives from the office of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay Jr, the LTFRB and other alternative public transport advocates.

Recto said one concrete solution to unbridled oil price increases is for government to gear up its promotion of alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) in public transport.

“One clear solution is to promote the use of alternative fuel vehicles for public transport,” he added.

Recto said such measures proposing the shift to a more sustainable and environment-friendly mode of transport should be declared as priority legislation by Malacanang. He expressed optimism that the pending bill will be signed into law before President Aquino delivers his State of the Nation in July.

Recto noted that the country imports an average of 300,000 barrels of crude oil daily while government spends around P880,000 to treat pollution related-diseases with one Filipino practically dying from dirty air every hour.

“We should impeach high oil prices. We should impeach pollution in our cities,” Recto said in advocating the shift to electric energy and other alternative fuel to finally end the countryís overdependence on expensive oil.

“Our national oil addiction should end with the mushrooming of AFVs,” the senator said.