Councilor asks DGS: Ensure city vehicles are road worthy

CEBU, Philippines — City Councilor Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa has asked the Department of General Services (DGS) to ensure that all vehicles that the Cebu City Government own are compliant with the Clean Air Act of 1999.

The Clean Air Act of 1999, or Republic Act No. 8749, establishes emission standards for automobiles.

The Act also calls for the development of a national program for the management of air pollution, with a primary emphasis on pollution prevention, and the encouragement of mass media communication to raise public awareness and encourage active participation in air quality planning and monitoring.

The Act's Section 21 authorizes the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to enforce compliance to the department's emission requirements for motor vehicles, which are sought to be recognized, and the State shall work to ensure their enjoyment.

For this purpose, the DOTr may even deputize local government entities.

Vehicles owned by the Cebu City Government are utilized to deliver essential services to its citizens.

According to reports, some of these motor vehicles reportedly emit black smoke, which is a sign that they have not been compliant with this national law.

The city government should serve as an example by ensuring that its own fleet of cars complies with the law's emission regulations, Abellanosa said.

Section 16 of the Local Government Code of 1991 stipulated that every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare. (FREEMAN)