Anti-smoke belching drive on

Starting Nov. 25, all smoke-belching vehicles will be apprehended as the full implementation of Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act starts, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said. This, after heads of various government agencies led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the law. Arnel Manresa, DOTC transport planning chief, noted that enforcers will use portable testing equipment in conducting roadside apprehensions come Nov. 25. The devices were purchased through a P14-million grant provided by the Asian Development Bank. Each emission tester costs P200,000. "The anti-smoke belching campaign will be effected in Metro Manila by Nov. 25 and then will go regionwide when funding becomes available," he added. Under the law, motorists found violating emission standards face a fine of P1,000 then P2,000 for the first and second offenses. For the third offense, the registration certificate of the vehicle will be suspended for a year and the owner fined P5,000. Studies show that 70 percent of the air pollutants in the metropolis come from motor vehicles. Manresa said the government hopes to bring down the sulfur content of diesel, the primary fuel used by the transportation industry in the country, from the present 5 percent to 2 percent by the year 2001. "By the year 2004, we hope this level can be brought down to .05 percent. We want this law to succeed so that our next generations can enjoy clean air," he added. – Sheila Crisostomo