Message
Representative of Sec. Carlos Jericho L. Petilla
Flag-off Ceremony of Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2015
Rizal Park, Manila
Feb. 27, 2015
Greetings
Allow me first to thank the people behind this year’s Shell Eco-Marathon Asia. We are more than grateful for choosing this country to host an international event that features the ingenuity, skills and innovativeness of the contestants. Actually Sec. Petilla asked me to be here to witness this ceremony in his absence. I believe, the Secretary was present during last year’s marathon and based from his review, it was certainly worthy of the commendations it received both in the international and local scene. With this, I would like to convey the Department’s congratulations to Shell for successfully bringing to the Philippine a new taste in marathon events.
Fuel economy is an important feature in cars today. Especially to countries considered dependent in oil imports, efficiency in the utilization of fuel is essential to save not only money but also supply. We need to understand that developing countries with advancing markets need enough power to keep its economy afloat. One of the first sectors that will feel such need is the transport sector. That is why the Department of Energy is working hand in hand with the different sectors and industries in the country to ensure that their situations with respect to energy requirements are monitored and secured. We don’t want to see or feel our progress slow down just because we are not ready to face the realities of an energy condition hampered by lack of preparedness.
With this kind of competition, we are proving once more of our obligation to spread awareness on fuel efficiency. This is also a good time, since we are tapping the young minds through the participation of several University teams, students who are willing to share their inventiveness and knowledge in the subject. We are fortunate because international schools are also present to participate in the event. This only shows that no one has the monopoly of knowledge or skills. Here in the Philippines, we always make sure that there is a free flowing of ideas because this ensures the vitality of the society we are currently living in.
When scientists from that research laboratory in Illinois, USA in 1939 had this simple bet as to whose car can travel the farthest on a gallon of fuel, they didn’t know that they will start a revolution that went on through the annals of history as one of man’s answer to test the expanse of their technologies. Here in our own country, we must live and follow the standards of these scientists, never rest until we can improve our inventions to upgrade the lives of the people and the next generations before us.
Let this event be a signal of true ingenuity to flow in our minds. I commend the participants for answering this call and to all the spectators, I wish that you would follow your curiosity and inquisitiveness to be part of the solution and ascertain your role in our community.
On behalf of the Department of Energy and Sec. Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, I look forward to your future endeavors and aspirations. Thank you at Mabuhay tayong lahat!