DENR, transport sector work to improve air quality in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has partnered with the transport sector to improve air quality in Metro Manila.

The agency and transport leaders signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the conduct of free emission testing of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) at their respective garages and terminals.

“The purpose is not to apprehend public utility vehicles, but to help our transport groups address their emissions and ensure that their vehicles comply with the law before they drive around major thoroughfares,” Environment Assistant Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said.

The transport groups that signed the MOA were Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP), Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEDJODAP), and Pang-kalahatang Sanggunian Manila and Suburbs Drivers Association Nationwide (PASANG-MASDA).

Under the agreement, transport groups are to submit their PUJs for voluntary testing jointly conducted by the DENR, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Cuna said the results of garage emission testing will be used to assess the current emission compliance of PUJs in the National Capital Region.

Furthermore, DENR will provide technical assistance to LTFRB and LTO on the possible establishment of their own anti-smoke belching operations (ASBO).

Conducting ASBO along the roadside and terminal emission testing nationwide are government initiatives to ensure that vehicles comply with the in-use emission standards set by Administrative Order No. 2000-81 or the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Philippine Clean Air Act.

“Strengthening the enforcement of air quality management as stipulated in the Clean Air Act is more crucial now more than ever and we need the full cooperation of the LTO and the LTFRB, as well as the transport sector,” Cuna said.

DENR said 80 percent of air pollution comes from motor vehicles, while 20 percent comes from stationary sources, including factory smoke stacks and open burning.

Air pollution coming from vehicular emissions is believed to be the major cause of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and a major contributor to global warming and climate change.