DENR launches ‘Linis Hangin’

Cities and municipalities are joining the celebration of the Clean Air Month this November through a program that sets the tone for the adoption of appropriate measures to address the country’s problem of air pollution.

Dubbed “Linis Hangin sa Siyudad/Munisipyo Program” the program is in support to Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza’s efforts to strengthen partnership with local government units. For this purpose, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno recently issued memorandum circular 2007-131 for its launching as part of the nationwide enforcement and implementation of the provisions of the Philippine Clean Air Act.

Under this program, local chief executives are encouraged to: issue resolutions or enact ordinances on air pollution control; include clean air policies in their local development plans; conduct information campaigns on the value of smoke-free communities; enjoin community leaders, civic and religious organizations, and school institutions to actively support campaigns against air pollution in their respective localities.

Atienza said several LGUs have initiated programs that pursue the provisions of the Clean Air Act. In Quezon City alone, he noted that an average of 5,000 vehicles are apprehended yearly for violation of the Clean Air Act. In Makati City, Ordinance  2004-032, or the Emission Control Code was issued enforcing vehicle emission control standards through the conduct of mobile emission testing anywhere in the area. In addition Marikina has constructed kilometers of bikeways on existing roads using local funding and a grant from the World Bank. 

San Fernando, La Union encourages the shift from two-stroke to four-stroke tricycles by providing loan packages to tricycle operators for the purchase of new four-stroke tricycles. Meanwhile in Laguna, anti-smoke belching campaigns and regulating smoking in public spaces are being seriously promoted. – Benny Enriquez