DOE worried about LPG-powered vehicles

MANILA, Philippines – Vehicles powered by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) may be good for your budget. But many motorists are worried that it may be bad for your health, according to Director Mario C. Marasigan, head of the Energy Utilization Management of the Department of Energy (DOE). Marasigan made the statement on Tuesday at a forum held at the DOE with representatives of the auto-LPG industry. "The industry is growing, along with the concerns, and it is our job to ensure that safety for consumers who use this technology," Marasigan said. Marasigan did not give figures about health issues caused by LPG-powered vehicles. According to him, the DOE is using the guidelines on auto-LPG that is under the Philippine National Standards (PNS)-05 made in 1983. Among other things, the code states that refilling nozzles of car should be located outside the vehicle and cylinders should not be removable. But DOE officials got assurances of safety from industry representatives like SKN LPG Equipments Sales Manager Harry Uttam, who has tested removable LPG tanks for tricycles. Italian-based Ambienergy Enterprises (Ambient), which also converts high-end cars such as Ford Expedition and GMC Suburban, also assures the officials that they comply with safety standards. Meanwhile, Marasigan said the DOE is open to changing some guidelines for using LPG in vehicles if there are suggestions from the industry representatives. The Bureau of Product Standards, an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), formulated the current guidelines. So far, there are only 10 accredited vehicle LPG converters, namely Ambient Energy, Black Prince Communication Inc. (SKN), Durasales Inc., Ferrotech Steel Corp. Gasumi Marketing, Greengas Inc., Lovely Home Inc., Macro Liquid Petroleum Gas Co. Inc. NAIADSS Corp., and Thermoline LPG Conversion Works Inc. - GMANews.TV