The Philippine government has approached Energtek to help transform its “tricycles” to run on natural gas. The move is expected to cover the areas of rising fuel prices and pollution problems in Metro Manila.

The conversion has been requested by the Department of Energy. The government agency informed the company of its intention to allow tricycles to use natural gas resources allocated to the Natural Gas Vehicle Program for Public Transport (NGVPPT). The NGVPPT, passed in 2002, is a nationwide program that “aims to enhance energy supply security in the transport sector through fuel diversification using indigenous natural gas and to use natural gas as a clean alternative fuel for transport.”

The NGVPPT program, which places a strong focus on the Metro Manila area, has natural gas resources apportioned from the Malampaya Gas Reserve in Batangas. The Malampaya Offshore Natural Gas Reserve is currently the Philippines’ largest indigenous energy source. For years, the reserve has been used primarily to generate power for the Metro Manila area. Now the government seeks to similarly utilize the reserve to supply the motor fuel energy needs of its largest city’s transportation sector.

Tricycles represent one of the most popular forms of transportation in the Philippines. These gasoline-powered tricycles are known to contribute to dangerous pollution levels. Converting the vehicles to Natural Gas provides a substantial reduction in hazardous emissions and is cost-effective. Natural Gas costs a fraction of the price of gasoline.