Data from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) revealed that of the 12 air quality monitoring stations in Metro Manila, only one monitoring station passed the annual mean roadside total suspended particulates (TSP) in 2004.
DENR Secretary Michael Defensor said that under the Clean Air Act of 1999, or Republic Act 8749, the annual guideline value for roadside TSP is 90 micrograms per cubic meter.
"That’s not exactly clean air, but air quality readings in Metro Manila are way above that. In fact, the air quality is even deteriorating in certain areas of Metro Manila," Defensor noted.
The EMB statistics revealed that a satisfactory mean roadside TSP level was recorded only at the air quality monitoring station along Katipunan Avenue near the Ateneo de Manila University campus with 83 micrograms per normal cubic meter last year.
The Ateneo-Katipunan air quality monitoring station registered 105 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2003.
The Pasig-Laguna Lake Development Authority station recorded a mean roadside TSP level of 101 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2004 from 109 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2003; Rizal Avenue-DOH with 180 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2004 from 134 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2003; Pasay City Hall with 178 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2004 from 180 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2003; Ayala-Gil Puyat with 193 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2004 from 211 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2003;
Mandaluyong City Hall posted 136 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2004 from 132 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2003; Valenzuela City Hall with 247 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2004 from 206 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2003; EDSA-East Avenue with 179 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2004 from 170 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2003; EDSA-NPO with 157 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2004 from 165 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2003; EDSA-Congressional with 225 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2004 from 275 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2003.
The EDSA-Taft air quality monitoring station recorded 236 micrograms per normal cubic meter while EDSA-MMDA posted 226 micrograms per normal cubic meter in 2003.
"The major factor for the dwindling air quality of Metro Manila is the smoke emission of vehicles. The volume or bulk constitutes 85 percent of the causes of air pollution," Defensor said.
He said that for the effective implementation of the law, the root-problem must be addressed, starting off with the strict monitoring of the PETCs in their issuance of Certificates of Emission Compliance to registering vehicles.
During a sting operation of DENR operatives, 39 of the 76 authorized PETCs in Metro Manila were found issuing Certificates of Emission Compliance to vehicle owners even if their respective vehicles were not subjected to actual emission tests.
The operation of the DENR was conducted on Feb. 22, March 3 and 4, March 7 and 8, and March 29 and 30 following reports that some PETCs issue certificates of emission compliance even without the actual tests on vehicles.
Similar operations are being undertaken in other regions nationwide, Defensor said.
PETCs allegedly charge P600 per vehicle for non-appearance emission testing and P300 for emission testing actually done on vehicles.
"This means that more than 50 percent of the PETCs in Metro Manila violate the rules," Defensor said.