Makati nabs more than 5,000 smoke belchers

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 5,023 smoke belchers were nabbed by the Makati Pollution and Control Office (MPCO) in anti-smoke belching operations last year in the city’s major and inner roads.

The anti-smoke belching operations were carried out to enforce Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act.

In a report to Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, MPCO chief Ricardo Suarez said that although there was a slight drop in the total number of apprehended smoke belching vehicles in 2012 as compared to 5,214 violators in 2011, the total annual fines collected from offenders last year increased to P1. 499 milllion from P1.398 million in 2011.

Suarez said the increase in income generated were from repeat offenders who committed violations repeatedly last year.

Under City Ordinance 2004-032, Makati’s enabling law against smoke belching, first-time offenders are fined P1,000, while second-time and third-time offenders are fined P2,000 and P3,000, respectively. The driver’s license and car plates are also confiscated in some instances.

Suarez said all the apprehended vehicles exceeded the smoke emission level set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Topping the list of air polluters last year were delivery vans and other utility transportation with 2,574 of these vehicles caught, followed by trucks with 1,972; public utility jeepneys and tricycles, 238; cars, 181; buses, 53; and taxis, five.

The stricter campaign against smoke belching vehicles was based on the standing directive of Binay to clear all the city’s streets of air polluting vehicles, Suarez said.

“Clean air is a major concern of the Makati City government. This is why we have conducted our intensified anti-smoke belching campaign without letup,” he said.

The MPCO deploys its anti-smoke belching enforcers from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily in the city’s streets and main avenues like J. P. Rizal Street, Kalayaan Avenue, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue and Magallanes.

Makati is one of the few localities in the country recognized by the DENR for its strict enforcement of the Clean Air Act.  - Mike Frialde