MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Department of Energy (DoE) are working closely with the University of the Philippines' School of Mechanical Engineering in developing efficient and reliable alternative jeepneys.

DoTC Secretary Mar Roxas said he has ordered the testing of brand-new diesel jeepneys that will be compared with jeepneys that run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and with a battery-operated jeep or 'E-jeepney.'

Based on initial studies by the UP School of Mechanical Engineering commissioned by the DOE, converting a second-hand diesel engine to make it run on LPG would cost around R300,000.

"It's quite costly because the conversion requires changing the whole engine, the transmission and the differential. If they would shoulder this cost but won't be able to earn as they should, it's not feasible," Roxas said. "Taxis are easier to convert to LPG because it runs on gasoline and you only need to install a conversion kit."

On the other hand, an E-jeepney would cost around R650,000. Such a vehicle is not only being promoted as one solution to the continuous increase in fuel prices but also as an environment-friendly transport.

Roxas met with different transport groups Friday, explaining to them that the government is willing to help them shift to viable fuel alternatives.

"The project aims not just to come up with the right alternative," Roxas said. "It should have a methodical and scientific way to ensure that jeepney drivers and operators would still earn using the right technology. It has to make sense in terms of fuel economy so we will not rush on alternative fuels."

The three agencies are continuously looking for ways to develop the cheapest and most efficient engines for jeepneys.