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MANILA,
Aug. 22 (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Thursday urged
the automotive industry to push for the swift passage of the renewable
energy bill in Congress.
In
her speech at the opening of the 2nd Philippine International Motor
Show at the World Trade Center, the President called on members of the
Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) to help
the government in its call for the early passage of the renewable
energy bill.
"I
ask CAMPI to help us in our call on the Senate to pass this urgent
legislation on the development and promotion of renewable energy
sources," she said.
The President said she is confident that CAMPI as an "influential" sector, "your voices will be heard."
She noted that renewable energy is a very "big help" in the government's Green Philippines program.
"For
renewable energy, we can harness our sun, wind and geothermal resources
and produce our own clean fuels through biofuels and not rely on
foreign suppliers," the President said.
"But,
we need the will of the people and the support of CAMPI to move our
political leaders to embrace this new clean Green Philippines," she
said.
President
Arroyo said the search for cheaper and cleaner fuel has become a
neccessity "not only because we want cleaner motoring but also in the
light of the worsening global environment, both in terms of the ecology
and the economy, and the increased pressure on economies that have
little or no energy sources of their own."
As
such, she thanked CAMPI in coming up with automotive units that not
only comply with the Clean Air Act but are also fuel-efficient as it
produces hybrid models producing flexible engines that blend ethanol
with gasoline fuel.
She
also thanked CAMPI for crafting the New Motor Vehicle Development
Program, which focuses on the use of local parts for vehicle assembly
and also on exportation.
"That is the way the automotive industry in the Philippines can survive and flourish," she said.
At the same time, the President urged the industry to help the government in its fight against corruption and smuggling.
"Let
us together sharpen our drive against corruption and smuggling. We do
not want our local automotive industry to suffer from unfair
competition posed by smuggled special utility vehicles," she said.
(PNA) |
