Makati drive vs smoke belching nets nearly 1,200 violators

Makati City’s intensified drive against smoke-belching vehicles resulted in nearly 1,200 apprehensions during the past three months.

Delivery vans and other utility vehicles were the top violators — at 980 apprehensions.

Makati Pollution and Control Office (MPCO) chief Reggie Suarez said trucks came in second with 488; jeepneys third at 114; cars fourth at 102; buses fifth at 75; and taxis sixth at 19.

According to him, his office intensified the campaign against smoke-belching vehicles on orders from Mayor Jejomar Binay.

"Clear air is a major concern of the city government of Makati. That’s why we have intensified our anti-smoke belching campaign to make sure that all the streets of Makati are free of smoke belchers," Suarez said.

Suarez said that the city government was able to collect P359,050 in fines.

He noted that all vehicles were subjected to a smoke meter test to determine the level of smoke emission based on standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

First-time offenders, he said, were fined P1,000 and their car plates or driver’s license were confiscated while second-time and third-time offenders were fined P2,000 and P3,000 respectively, as the vehicle registration of third-time offenders are suspended.

Suarez said MPCO enforcers are deployed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday specifically along major roads and main avenues like J.P. Rizal, Kalayaan Avenue, Gil Puyat Avenue, the stretch of Ayala Avenue, and EDSA.