76 of 88 vehicles fail anti-smoke belching drive

MANILA, Philippines -  The Land Transportation Office (LTO) yesterday conducted a dry run of its joint anti-smoke belching operation with other government agencies in Quezon City.

LTO National Capital Region Director Clarence Guinto said they were able to catch 76 violators in three hours during a test run along Commonwealth Avenue. 

A total of 88 vehicles were flagged down and only 12 passed the five-minute on-the-spot emission testing of the enforcers.

Four enforcer teams, composed of personnel from the police, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, LTO, and the local government of Quezon City, were deployed during the operation. 

More operations are expected to be conducted soon to apprehend violators of Republic Act 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act. 

“This initiative will be continued nationwide. We will evaluate the success of this dry-run operation and do some long term planning,” Guinto said in a press conference. 

He added that they are set to include the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in future operations in the region. 

Guinto said they are looking to deputize more traffic enforcers to help in the anti-smoke belching initiative and other campaigns of the LTO. 

Violators who will not pass the national emission standard may be fined P2,000 for the first offense, P4,000 for the second offense, and fined P6,000 and their motor vehicle registration suspended for a year for the third offense.