November 2, 2007 | 12:00am
Smoke-belching vehicles will be barred from entering the premises of several schools in Central Visayas this month 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 - University of Cebu and the University of San Jose-Recoletos - will implement the campaign starting tomorrow. DENR regional director Reynaldo Sibalucca said the schools’ gesture is their way of responding to the government’s call for every sector of society to act together in improving the quality of air throughout the country.
Studies show that vehicular pollution is the biggest cause of air degradation in 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’s area sources such as open burning of garbage.
DENR is readying the groundwork for heightened networking and advocacies among the academic administrators, teachers and student leaders for coordinated pursuits towards cleaner air. Various fora are being conducted on the Clean Air Act directives for vehicular sources of air pollution, preventive maintenance of vehicles for cleaner air and cost savings, building smoke-belching free campuses, and the roles and commitments of school sectors in the Bantay Tambutso component of the Linis Hangin Program.
Free vehicle emission testing sessions at different universities will also be conducted.
Other participating schools in the country are: Rizal Technological University, Far Eastern University, Trinity College, Philippine Women’s University, Philippine State College of Aeronautics, University of the Philippines in Diliman and Baguio, University of Sto. Tomas, Centro Escolar University, De La Salle University, Sta. Catalina College, Philippine Maritime Institute, PMMS Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, Sta. Rita College, Ateneo de Manila University, Mirriam College, Technological University of the Philippines in Diliman and Baguio, Cavite State University, Batangas State University, University of Perpetual Help System, Casa del Nino School in Laguna, Joseph and Mary Academy, Colegio San Agustin, Pacita National High School, Sampaguita National High School, Sisters of Mary Immaculate, Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Catholic School of Pacita, Mater Ecclessias School, Holy Rosary Academy, Amazing Grace School, San Lorenzo School, San Geronimo Emiliani School, St. Louis Anne Colleges, St. Therese of the child Jesus, Evangel Christian Academy, Palawan State University, St. Louis University in Baguio City, Benguet State University, Northwestern University in Laoag, St. Mary’s University in Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela State University, Central Luzon State University in Nueva Ecija, Camarines Sur State Agricultural College, Bicol University and the West Visayas State University in Iloilo. — Jasmin R. Uy/LPM
