NBI goes after smoke belchers

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will now run after smoke-belching buses and other vehicles, particularly those plying EDSA and other major roads in the metropolis.

Head Agent Sixto Comia, chief of the newly-created Environment and Wildlife Protection Division (EAWPD), told reporters yesterday that going after smoke belchers is among the mandated duties of their office.

Under the administration of Director Magtanggol Gatdula, he said the NBI will arrest those involved in the destruction of wildlife resources and polluters.

Last August, Gatdula created the EAWPD, saying it is urgent to combat pollution and environmental degradation in the wake of climate change.

Gatdula said the new office will spearhead the enforcement of laws concerning protection of the environment.

Comia urged the public to report to the NBI smoke belchers by jotting down the license plate of the smoke belching vehicles. “Just inform the NBI, and we’ll take care of it,” he said.

Comia said the NBI is also tracking all those behind the issuance of fake smoke emission testing results. He said they are still searching for Eduardo Flores Rivera, owner of private emission testing centers (PETCs) Enviroguard Technologies Corp. in Guiguinto, Bulacan and Smoke in the City Emission Testing Center at Pinyahan, Quezon City.

While Rivera’s emission testing centers are authorized by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to conduct smoke emission examinations, Comia said these centers are also allegedly used as “fronts” for those who want to get a favorable testing result without the vehicle undergoing the smoke test.

A vehicle must pass the smoke test for its owner to be able to renew its registration with the LTO, as provided under the Clean Air Act.

Comia said Rivera maintains a satellite office in Grace Park, Caloocan City where these fake smoke test certificates and photos are processed for P1,000. The fee for regular smoke test results and photos is P350.

At his Caloocan satellite office, Rivera’s personnel allegedly manipulate the pictures of motor vehicles to make it appear that they were actually tested. Comia said the results of emission testing were faked using actual automotive emission analyzer and opacity smoke meter.

The NBI recently raided Rivera’s satellite office and arrested nine workers, who were charged with violating the Clean Air Act before the Caloocan City prosecutors’ office. If found guilty, they face from six to 10 years in jail.