Baguio Vice Mayor Airs Concerns on Solar Technology Ride

Baguio City (PNA) -– Re-elected Baguio City Vice Mayor Edison Bilog on Thursday, June 16 reiterated his concerns about the “Green Bus” but said he will gladly endorse its operation if his queries are satisfied.

The “Green Bus” is currently operating as a public utility vehicle (PUV) in the city but at no cost to the riding public.

Bilog said there are more questions raised in the operation of the Green Bus than the projected environmental solution.

“I am not objecting to the test operation of the solar bus, pero may mga concerns lang ako about the solar transport system,” he said.

Bilog asks, “will the vehicle operate during the rainy season or days na hindi nasisilayan ang araw?”

“Alam mo naman ang climate natin dito, kapag umulan, minsan isang buwan na hindi mo pa nakikita si haring araw. (You know how our climate here is, when it rains, sometimes you will not see the sun for a month)

Anong mangyayari sa transport system natin pag hindi makapag operate?” (what will happen to our transport system if it cannot operate?)

Another question Bilog aired is, “what will happen to our present transport system?”

“May mga franchise sila na hindi natin pwedeng iterminate,” (they have franchises which we cannot terminate) Bilog said.

Bilog said traffic is unavoidable if the PUVs will travel all at the same time, solar powered and not, which may ultimately result in pollution.

“Kapag nagkaganoon, hindi ba tyak matinding traffic ang idudulot nito, at kung matindi ang traffic, tyak matindi rin ang pollution ang ibubunga nito.”

Bilog further asked, “Sinong mag ooperate ng transport system na ito, malalaking korporasyon, ang pamahalaang lokal ban g Baguio?” (Who will operate this transport system, big corporations or the local government of Baguio?)

“Simple operators of jeeps and taxis cannot afford this type of transport system,” he said.

The vice mayor is also waiting for the opinions from other stakeholders, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Energy (DoE).

Bilog said he learned that building a recharging facility for the “green” vehicle will cost the city billions of pesos.

The “Green Bus” is on loan to the city government for two months as endorsed by re-elected Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, from Glad to be Green (G2BG).

The Green Bus is operating at no cost to the commuters because G2BG would like to inspire people to switch to green technology and start using solar energy to power their homes, businesses, and vehicles. (PNA) LAP/JOJO LAMARIA