128 vehicles caught for smoke-belching on EDSA

A total of 128 motor vehicles were apprehended yesterday when the government launched its intensified campaign against smoke-belching on EDSA, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said.

Of these vehicles, 18 were apprehended by the DOTC-Action Center, 31 by the DOTC-attached Land Transportation Office and 79 by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

"Enforcers from these agencies were deployed in different parts of EDSA to look out for smoke belchers. They were armed with portable smoke emission equipment," said Action Center head Neil Manalo.

With the DOTC as the leading agency, the government has reinvigorated its anti-smoke belching program in compliance to the Clean Air Act law. The law is aimed to make the country free of air pollution by the year 2003.

As a policy, the enforcers flag down vehicles that visibly emit black smoke. They then test the vehicles for pollution at the roadside.

In a telephone interview, Manalo said the enforcers started their roadside apprehensions at 6 a.m. yesterday and it would last until 6 p.m.

Under the implementing guidelines of the Smoke Belching Program, vehicles that exceed the limit for smoke emission are slapped with a fine of P1,000 for the first offense plus confiscation of license plates.

"Violators are required to have their vehicles checked and calibrated. They will be tested again and after compliance, they can resume operation," he added.

Manalo said that for the second offense, a fine of P3,000 awaits violators while a fine of P5,000 is slapped on the third offense. — Sheila Crisostomo