‘Strictly implement Clean Air Act’

Francis Escudero is pushing for the stricter implementation of emission standards and higher penalties for violators of the Clean Air Act to check the unmitigated air pollution that is slowly killing thousands every year in Metro Manila. Escudero cited a World Bank study showing that close to 5,000 Metro Manila residents, or 14 people daily, die from pollution-related diseases such as pneumonia in children, cardiopulmonary disease and lung cancer. Under the Clean Air Act, owners and drivers of motor vehicles found to be violating emission standards face penalties of a fine not exceeding P2,000 for the first offense; a fine not less than P2,000 and not exceeding P4,000 for the second offense; and a one-year suspension of the Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) and a fine of not less than P4,000 and not more than P6,000 for the third offense. Based on data from the World Bank’s Philippine Environment Monitor, Metro Manila has a Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) level, a measurement used to determine air quality, that is often five times higher than the World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines. Particulate emissions are largely from motor vehicles (84 percent), solid waste burning (10 percent), and industries (5.5 percent). (June 21, 2009)