| Located in the Visayan region of the Philippine | | | | tests and adjustments, they came up with |
| archipelago, Tabontabon, Leyte introduced three | | | | two-cylinder engines that run on biofuel which is |
| model cars made from bamboo. This fifth-class | | | | coconut-based. The body is made from indigenous |
| municipality situated 30 kilometers south of the | | | | materials. |
| busy Tacloban City developed these eco-friendly | | | | Under the Tabontabon Organic Transport Industry |
| cars as a part of environment-friendly projects | | | | (TOTI) livelihood programs, the municipality is |
| spearheaded by Mayor Rustico Balderian. Aside | | | | proud to present 3 model cars. Eco 1, designed by |
| from the eco-cars, a water recycling equipment is | | | | Balderian, can seat 20 people (the driver included), |
| also on his agenda. He also takes part in livelihood | | | | and made with indigenous materials except for |
| projects utilizing plastic wastes which are used in | | | | the engine, flooring, tires and chassis. Eco 2 has a |
| making slippers, bricks and bags. All these projects | | | | capacity of six. 70% of the car is made up of |
| are based on his support for the climate change | | | | bamboo and has a stereo system. Eco 3 is an |
| campaign. | | | | upgraded version of Eco 2. It can seat 6 |
| Tabontabon's location is the primary reason why | | | | passengers and the body is 90% made of |
| they ventured in car assembly. Jeepneys, which | | | | bamboo. All eco-friendly cars can run for 8 hours |
| are supposed to be the main mode of | | | | using biodiesel and can climb up a 20% incline. |
| transportation, seldom take the route going there | | | | These eco-friendly cars show that organics still |
| because of the longer period of time it needs to | | | | has a part in today's ultra modern world. Balderian |
| fill the jeepneys with passengers. As a result, the | | | | said that the bamboo's strength is greater than |
| passengers prefer taking a motorcycle ride | | | | steel. He also said that the eco-friendly cars can |
| known as habal-habal which eventually became | | | | last up to 10 years using polyurethane to endure |
| the main mode of transportation when going to | | | | heat and rain. |
| the place. However, the Mayor sees it to be a | | | | Tabontabon's eco cars may serve as models to |
| good way to attract accidents. | | | | make use of Mother Nature's natural gift to us. |
| Because of this, Balderian, with the help of his | | | | Another good way of preserving the environment |
| constituents and the out-of-school youth, he | | | | is by using natural wax candles and all natural |
| conducted an experiment with a three-wheeler | | | | candles. Through this simple way, you can support |
| and a car with a one-cylinder engine. After several | | | | the green campaign. |