Cleaning the air

Air pollution in the country, particularly in Metro Manila, has increased to an alarming level with the rapid industrial and population growths coupled with rising standards of living.

Studies show that poor air quality leads to respiratory diseases like cough, asthma and wheezing although these are minor compared to the ones cited by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). According to USEPA, air pollution can result in serious health problems like lung damage, heart disease and cancer. Other forms of life – plants, animals, aquatic resources, water resources, structures and ozone in the upper atmosphere which protect us from the damaging rays of the sun – are also adversely affected.

Some of us may not know it, but government, industry, business, environmental groups and the citizenry in general are, to a certain extent, undertaking individual and collaborative actions to clean the air.

The government is pursuing the implementation of the Clean Air Act of 1999 for Filipinos to breathe clean air, although some say that tangible effects are yet to be seen. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been conducting awareness activities in its central and regional offices to drum up support from its employees and other sectors.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has granted a loan to carry out the Metro Manila Air Quality Improvement Sector Development Program (MMAQISDP). This program supports the Clean Air Act and aims to "effectively address the air pollution problems through the implementation of an integrated set of policy reforms and projects." This is spearheaded by DENR, with other government institutions and private groups as partners.

The MMAQISDP conducted at least three forums in which the participants are representatives from the government, private sector, transport sector, media, funding agencies and the public in general.

In November last year, the group conducted a four-day workshop which yielded a strategic framework for a public awareness campaign. Another activity was conducted in February this year focusing on social marketing.

Last week, DENR Secretary Heherson T. Alvarez launched a program called "Partnership for Clean Air" which seeks to educate the public on air-friendly practices, emission standards for motor vehicles and stationary sources of air pollution such as industries under the Clean Air Act. It will also campaign for improved fuel quality, complementing the anti-smoke belching campaign.