PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR ACT - A Push Forward

Air is common good and a gift to humanity. Amongst Philippine Environmental Laws, RA No. 8749 – Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 had marked best for me, as it recognizes the right of every individual to breathe clean air, to utilize and enjoy all natural resources according to principle of sustainable development. However, this so called best environmental law of the land is yet implemented ineffectively. Based on 2005 report of the World Health Organization (WHO), Metro Manila ranks among the urban areas in the world with most polluted air – next only to Mexico City, Shanghai, and New Delhi. Metro Manila, the country’s National Capital Region (NCR), has been climbing the air pollution charts for the few years previous to 2005.

Clean air essential to good health. Unfortunately, toxic air pollutants and contaminants affect the air we breathe. Based on studies, about 80 percent of polluted air in the country comes from mobile sources such buses, cars and jeepneys. The other 20 percent is emitted by industrial sources such as power plants and factories and are sources such as open burning of garbage, smoking and construction activities.

Senate Bill 234, also called the “Accelerated Retirement of Inefficient Vehicle Act” authored by Senator Mirriam Defensor Santiago, encourages the establishment of a five-year program of replacing old and fuel-inefficient vehicles for more fuel-saving models. This was supported by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to reduce air-pollution and improve air quality. Countries including Singapore have such program in place, but incentives needed to make the program a success can be costly. In supporting legislation to phase out old vehicles, the DENR should make sure the country has sufficient resources for such incentives.

Clean Air Act was created year 1999, if only it was enforced and monitored accordingly, we need not Senate Bill 234 and Philippines will not be labeled as “Most Polluted Air in the World.” According to an editorial in Philippine Star (July 1, 2011), the popularity of the Light Rail and Metro Railway Transit in Metro Manila show that people want quick, efficient and relatively safe mass transportation. But the MRT and LRT cannot adequately cope with passenger volume particularly during peak hours. So people continue to use private vehicles, investing in old cars especially for their children’s use, and for days when their old cars are banned under the number coding scheme in Metro Manila.

I see efforts from DENR-EMB in terms of awareness programs through campaign in partnership with Philippine Medical Association (PMA), the Kapisanan ng Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and other government agencies and local government units through Memorandum of Agreement signed December 9, 2011, to strengthen the implementation of the program to reduce air pollution from motor vehicular sources. PMA and KBP committed to help raise public awareness on the urgency of addressing the country’s worsening air pollution problem; emission testing (particular in EDSA where buses are randomly checked) that requires vehicle to undergo regular maintenance check. But, majority of public transportation owners (jeenpneys and buses) scrimp on expenses, thus, opted sending their vehicles to services in case of breakdown only. Also, there are municipalities that bans smoking in public and used of social media in reporting smoke belchers. Quoting Jim Stewart (Canadian CEO) “the first law of successful implementation is that 70% of something is better than 100% of nothing.”

Major Air Pollutants Monitored by Clean Air Act

Carbon Monoxide (CO) – It is an odorless and colorless gas produced by the incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels, including gasoline, oil and wood. It can also build up in high concentrations in enclosed areas such as garages and along roadsides during heavy traffic.

Ozone (O₃) – It is a gas that is variety of Oxygen. Ozone in the upper atmosphere is known as the ozone layer which shields the Earth from sun’s dangerous ultraviolet rays. However, at ground level it is considered a pollutant with highly toxic effects. Some of the major sources of ground-level ozone are vehicles and industries. Some of the ill effects of this pollutant include irritations in the respiratory tract, chest pain, persistent cough and an increased susceptibility to lung infection.

Nitrogen Oxide (NO_x) – Nitrogen oxides are produced from burning fuels, gasoline and coal. It is a major contributor to smog and acid rain. In high doses, smog can harm humans especially asthmatics and can cause general illness of the respiratory system. Acid rain, on the other hand, can harm vegetation and change the chemistry of the water thus affecting marine life.

Particulate Matter – It is any type of solid particles in the air in the form of smoke, dust and vapors. Particulate Matter is produced by many sources, including burning of diesel fuels by vehicles, fossil fuels, mixing and application of fertilizers and pesticides, road construction, industrial processes and operation of woodstoves. Some microscopic particles in the air can be breathed into the lungs causing increased respiratory disease and lung damage.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) – It is an odorless gas at low concentrations, but can have a very strong smell at high concentrations. Sulfur Dioxide is a gas produced by burning coal, most notably in power plants. Some industrial processes, such as production of paper and smelting of metals, produce sulfur dioxide. It can harm vegetation and metals and can cause lung problems, including breathing problems and permanent damage to lungs.

Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs) – These are organic chemicals that are found in gasoline, industrial chemicals such as benzene, solvents such as toluene and xylene, and perchloroethylene (principal dry cleaning solvent). Vehicle emissions are an important source of VOCs. These chemicals are released from burning fuel, such as gasoline, wood, coal, and from solvents, such as paints, glues, and other products used at home or work.