Mayor Osmeña signs city's clean air law

Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday signed into law City Ordinance No. 2111, or what he called as the "Clean Air Act" version of the Cebu City government.

The mayor lauded the City Council for coming up with an ordinance such as this, saying it was one of the reasons why the Cebu City Council was chosen as most outstanding legislative body in the country.

Osmeña also commended the different sectors that devoted time and shared inputs in crafting the ordinance, such as transport groups, University of San Carlos and USAID-Energy and Clean Air Project, Automotive Specialist Association, Inc., and several people.

He added that it does not matter if the country has already an existing Clean Air Act for "as long as we take steps to control pollution."

C.O. 2111, known as the "Vehicle Emissions Control Ordinance of the City of Cebu," aims to prevent, control and abate the emissions of air pollutants from motor vehicles to protect health and welfare of the people in the city, and promote environmental sustainability.

The ordinance, principally authored by Councilor Nestor Archival, sets parameters for regulating emissions of motor vehicles plying the city streets, and imposes corresponding penalties for violations.

Under the law, vehicles spotted and apprehended for smoke belching could be fined between P1,000 and P5,000 depending on the degrees of violation.

Archival said pollutants, especially particulate matters, from mobile sources comprise 70 percent of air pollutants.

He said that in the course of formulating the ordinance, suggestions from the transport sector were considered, including allowing vehicle owners to have their engines corrected prior to the imposition of penalties.

The councilor however said the signing of the ordinance was just the first step because the council still have to formulate the implementing rules and regulations for its enforcement. - Wenna A. Berondo/RAE