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Death of drivers hound LPG-taxi proponents

Recent deaths of taxi drivers in Iloilo City opened anew discussions and debate on the safety of taxi units converted for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)-use here.




In a two-hour public forum over Bombo Radyo's Zona Libre held Friday, LPG-taxi proponents both from the government and private sector faced off with concerns raised primarily by taxi drivers themselves.

A random interview was made by Bombo Radyo that heard similar sentiments of the drivers on health issues. From complaints of persistent dry cough to dryness of throats, the drivers' concerns were matched by complaints of dizziness and sudden headaches from select commuters reached by the radio station.

Dr. Florentino Alerta II was among the panelists with a lengthy discussion presented on the perils of LPG. Dr. Alerta likewise pushed for the importance of regular medical check-ups of taxi drivers as part of the company policy.

Iloilo City has some 600 to 700 taxi units now LPG-run. GDR taxis, one of the biggest taxi groups plying throughout Iloilo has its units "all 100%" converted. No actual figure was disclosed by the owner Donna Ratilla though saying she would rather leave it at its percentage than give the specific units.

Ratilla maintained the safety of LPG in all of its taxis while stressing that such was in compliance of the government's thrust for cleaner air.

As safety precautions, the proponents added, all LPG-taxis are prohibited to park in enclosed waiting areas. And installers are duly checked too, the group continued with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) ensuring the supposed road-worthiness of the LPG-converted taxi units.

The News Today (TNT) in a report gathered at least six deaths of taxi drivers in a 3 month-period. No direct link was made to the LPG taxi units of the drivers however prevailing sentiments of drivers themselves persist.

Director Porferio Clavel of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it is about time that a public dialogue will be made on the subject. This, he said, should have the concerted effort of government agencies involved in the LPG-conversion project. Health issues must also be tackled, Director Clavel agreed if only to successfully push for the program and erase the misconceptions of the drivers and commuting public.

Photojournalist Rufino "Pinoy" Gonzales phoned-in from Texas, USA to share his own LPG-taxi episode. A non-smoker, Gonzales said he suffered from sudden nausea and dizziness in two occasions that he took a taxi later discovered to be LPG-run.

by: Florence F. Hibionada

2 comments:

cRiPpLe_rOoStEr a.k.a. Kamikaze said...

I still see either regular diesel or biodiesel as a better alternative to meet the efficiency demands on commercial vehicles. Either LPG or methane (a.k.a. CNG) require heavy and huge devices to be stored, prejudicing the cargo capacity, and since are gaseous are harder to handle. Also, safety is enhanced with diesel, since it's harder to explode or ignite.

9/21/11, 12:33 AM
GTO said...

Why dont they try looking into the records of Manila Hospitals.... the number of LPG fueled Taxi Drivers dying is staggering. But then again... who would want to put this in the news when there's no Big industry going to pay for it?... Bad for their interest!

9/24/11, 3:49 AM

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