PMA's 'threat' against DOTC chief downplayed

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications yesterday shrugged off the threat of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) to sue DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas for failure to implement the Clean Air Act.

Lawyer Nicasio Conti, DOTC spokesman and concurrent deputy administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), said the lead implementing agency for the law was the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and not the DOTC.

“A review of the provisions of the Clean Air Act clearly shows that the role of the DOTC in implementing this measure is limited to the conduct of emission tests to vehicles,” he added.

The PMA said the DOTC has miserably failed to rid the country’s highways and roads of smoke-belching vehicles.