Smoke-belchers barred from schools today

Several schools in Central Visayas will bar smoke-belching vehicles from entering their premises today as part of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' "Bantay Tambutso sa Eskwela" campaign under the "Linis Hangin" program.

Two of Cebu's universities, the University of Cebu and the University of San Jose-Recoletos, will implement the program today.

DENR regional director Red Clarence Baguilat said the schools' gesture is their way of responding to the government's call for every sector to act on improving the country's air quality.

Studies show that vehicular pollution is the biggest cause of air degradation in major urban areas in the country.

"Linis Hangin" program's two other components are "Bantay Tsimineya", which focuses on the industrial sources of air pollution, and the "Bantay Sunog Basura," which seeks to address air pollution through a campaign against open burning of garbage.

The DENR is readying the groundwork for heightened networking and advocacies among academic administrators, teachers and students for coordinated pursuits towards cleaner air.

Various forums on the Clean Air Act directives for vehicular sources of air pollution as well as free vehicle emission testing sessions are being held at different universities. - Jasmin R. Uy