DENR: Metro air pollution level down

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) yesterday announced that air pollution levels in Metro Manila have gone down.

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje cited the 25-percent drop in the level of total suspended particulates for 2011 at 125 micrograms per normal cubic meter as against the 166 µg/Ncm TSP level in 2010 as recorded by the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau.

A 20-percent drop was likewise posted for the first quarter of the year at 131 as against 163 µg/Ncm for the first quarter of 2010. TSP levels recorded for the third quarter of the year went down further at 120 µg/Ncm.

The DENR committed to enhance the country’s air quality management program in the wake of a report that air pollution remains one of the three major health issues confronting the nation.

 “The air quality throughout the country is generally getting better, although there is still a lot of work to do to get the air we breathe to healthful standard,” Paje said.

 Health Secretary Enrique Ona earlier said air pollution, rise in alcohol use and traumas from accidents are the leading health concerns in the country today.

Paje said the country is making progress in the reduction of particulate emissions in the air as a result of its anti-pollution programs, among them the ban in open burning and smoking in public places and the designation of airsheds throughout the country.

 “We shall proceed with resolve and optimism to bring the country’s air quality and public health care closer together. Addressing air pollution problems and improving local air quality can only be achieved when all sectors of society work together,” he said.

Paje issued DENR Administrative Order 2011-11 last Aug. 26 breaking down Metro Manila's airshed into three – the National Capital Region airshed, Cavite-Laguna Rizal airshed and Bulacan-Pampanga-Bataan airshed.

 The order effectively brings to 20 the number of airsheds in the country, with 15 as regular airsheds and three as geothermal airsheds.

 Each of the airsheds shall be managed by a governing board composed of local government officials of the province; regional directors of the Departments of Transportation and Communication, Health, Trade and Industry, Interior and Local Government, Science and Technology, and Energy; and representatives from the private sector, peoples organizations, and non-government organizations.

 The airshed governing board would aid the DENR in checking air quality, setting up emission standards, determining penalties for violators in a particular airshed, drawing up of anti-pollution programs which may vary from one airshed to another.