Transport groups push restudy of proposal for emission standards

CEBU - Transport groups are calling for the City Council to further study a proposed ordinance No. 2111, which increases the penalty and standards of vehicle emissions.

In yesterday’s public hearing, transport groups Nagkahiusang Driver sa Sugbo and the Alyansa Nagkahiusang Drivers Alang sa Reporma both emphasized the need to further look into the proposal.

Nadsu representative Gregory Perez said his group has not reached a final stand on the proposition but Andar said the proposed ordinance is a duplication of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Service facility of the Land Transportation Office.

Andar said the said proposed measure should not be approved hurriedly, as it directly affects the drivers.

Meanwhile, Allan Dinampo of the Pollution Control Association of the Philippines 7 said the proposed ordinance will certainly help lessen the air pollution in Cebu City. He said the proposed ordinance will make Cebu City’s air at par with standards set by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

Dinampo said that based on recent reports, much of the pollution is no longer from the industries, which comprise only 30 percent of the air pollutants, but from movable sources such as the vehicles on land.

Dinampo further said there is a need to make an updated study on the quality of air pollution in the city, considering that the latest data used by government agencies was the one gathered in 2004 yet, which evaluated the air qualities of Cebu City, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu. – Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO (THE FREEMAN)