News
30 August 2011

August 2011 – WLPGA visits the Philippines

The WLPGA were represented by David Tyler at the inaugural Philippines LPG Summit held at the Diamond Hotel in Manila on 24th – 25th August 2011.

 

The WLPGA were represented by David Tyler at the inaugural Philippines LPG Summit held at the Diamond Hotel in Manila on 24th – 25th August 2011. The event was co-supported by the WLPGA through a cross media link. The theme of the Summit was ‘Developing a Sustainable LPG Eco-System‘ and David spoke about the importance of Good Business and Safety Practices for countries aiming to develop safe and sustainable LP Gas markets. He stressed the need for a ‘level playing field’ and the role for governments to adopt sensible, achievable and enforceable standards. He also said marketers must play their role by ensuring that their operations are run safely and that staff, contractors and consumers are kept well trained and educated about the need for safe storage, handling and distribution facilities. Other presentations covered the programme to switch the iconic 450,000 diesel engined Jeepney vehicles to Autogas in order to improve the street air quality of Manila and the other cities in the Philippines.
There was an update by Professor Denis Leung, from the Hong Kong University, on the switch from diesel to Autogas for the Hong Kong taxi fleet and how that had contributed to cleaner urban air and reduced health costs. Other presenters examined ways to stimulate the LP Gas business in the Philippines which has stagnated for several years. David highlighted to the delegates the Community Kitchen initiative which has been a success story in India, bringing LP Gas to rural communities in an affordable way.
Eric Johnson from Atlantic Consulting spoke of the opportunities to decarbonise LP Gas and the impact that would have on the environment. The event was sponsored by international and local companies who exhibited their products and services. The Summit was well attended by representatives of the Philippines LPG industry and the Philippines government. The event also attracted regional delegates from surrounding countries including Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Malaysia. It is planned to make the event an annual fixture in the regional LP Gas calendar. During the week David also held meetings with the Department of Energy and discussed progress of the latest LP Gas Bill being tabled in Parliament with Congressman, Hon Arnel U.Ty.
He also had meetings with the Philippines LP Gas Association to discuss follow action from the WLPGA Good Industry Practice Workshop held in 2009. Finally David met representatives from the Clean Air Initiative – Asia (a recent observer member of the WLPGA) to discuss plans for their Better Air Quality (BAQ2012) event which is being planned for Seoul in October 2012. Last November the WLPGA held a back to back event with the BAQ2010, holding an Asia Autogas Workshop in Singapore just before the BAQ2010. It is hoped something similar can be organised next year. David Tyler
dtyler@worldlpgas.com