Text tapped vs smoke belching

The ever-popular text messaging is now also a tool in the nationwide campaign against smoke belching.

ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.’s (AFI) Bantay Kalikasan officially launched Wednesday it’s "Text Usok" project which aims to expand the general public’s participation in the anti-smoke belching campaign through text messaging.

AFI’s managing director Gina Lopez expressed her optimism that the multi-sectoral project will be successful considering that there are over 13 million cell phone subscribers in the country.

The idea of the project is to encourage the public to report smoke belchers to Text Usok through their Globe Handyphones.

Report must be transmitted in this format: USOK<space>plate number<space> location <space> vehicle type and send to 2366.

All the messages are received by Bantay Kalikasan and compiled in a database that also contains other reports submitted through email and telephone calls.

After screening the messages, all legitimate complaints will be forwarded to the Land Transportation Office which in turn would issue summons to the vehicle owners to make sure that they comply with the emission standards.

Those who fail the tests will be penalized P1,000 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offense and P5,000 for the third offense within the year plus the cancellation of the vehicle registration.

One of the main targets of the anti-smoke belching campaign, public utility bus owners, have also given their commitment to the Text Usok project.

Integrated Metro Bus Operators Association President Claire dela Fuente said that the bus operators are one with the government in the campaign against smoke belching.

"We are all affected by smoke belching and as an industry committed to public service, we are obligated to support the project," Dela Fuente said.

Globe Telecoms has also committed to donate 40 percent of every Peso made from the text messages of Text Usok to ABS-CBN Interactive. Half of the 40 percent will then go to Bantay Usok.

Other partners in the project include the Partnership for Clean Air, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, LTO and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Senator Noli de Castro has also been tapped to serve as the official spokesperson of the Bantay Usok project.

The problem of air pollution has become very serious in the country with the Asian Development Bank reporting an average of six to 12,000 people dying each year as a result of the phenomenon.

The World Health Organization in its Year 2000 study emphasized the point more clearly by stating that 10 to 16 people die of respiratory diseases every day in Metro Manila.

Bantay Usok aims to control smoke belching before the year 2003 through its efforts.