DENR holds public hearing on ‘freon’

To allay fears and concerns of public transport groups on the government’s move to control the registration of motor vehicles of 1999 model and up using chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) or "freon" in their air conditioning system, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) held a public transport forum at the Bulwagang Romeo F. Edu, LTO main office, in Quezon City.

DENR Secretary Michael T. Defensor said the forum was part of the comprehensive public information campaign of the DENR to reach out to various stakeholders on the implementation of the National CFC Phase-out plan. CFC refers to chlorofluorocarbon, an ozone-depleting substance.

"We are working hand in hand with the LTO in this forum to explain to the various transport groups regarding the need to phase-out CFC-12, commonly known as "freon" in mobile air-conditioning system and to address as well whatever fears and concerns they may have regarding this move," Defensor added.

Starting Jan. 1, 2006, all vehicles of 1999 model and above that still use CFC-12 or freon in their airconditioners will not be allowed to register or renew their registration with the LTO. This restriction is to encourage vehicle owners to use other cooling agents in their vehicles, such as hydrofluorocarbon (HFC-134a) and other blends, which are more ozone-friendly alternatives.

Defensor stressed, however, that older models with CFC — using air-conditioning systems are allowed to ply the road up to 2012.

The Philippines is one of 188 signatories to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. As such, it is committed to reduce and eventually phase out its production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. Among these is the CFC, used as cooling agent for refrigerators and air-conditioners, which is set for total phase-out by 2010. – Benny Enriquez