Benguet smoke belching law eyed

BENGUET law makers are being urged to craft a law prohibiting smoke belching vehicles in the province.

This after Gov-

ernor Crescencio Pacalso have sought the decision help of the provincial board in the hopes of improving the air quality in the province.

“There is still no ordinance to implement the pollution caused by smoke belchers. We will leave this to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan if they want to. Although there is a national law already for this but like in the City of Baguio, there is an inspection team to flag down the smoke belchers,” expressed the governor.

Pacalso disclosed at the foot of the capitol and in front of the La Trinidad municipal hall, although the air quality is fair, he sees the need to implement anti smoke belching measures.

The Benguet top official also mentioned the increase of vehicles which causes traffic affect the quality of air.

The Environment and Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Cordillera earlier informed the province the results of its 3rd Quarter Ambient Air Quality Sampling and Monitoring conducted within Baguio-La Trinidad-ItogonSablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISST) area.

Based on the two monitoring stations at the La Trinidad Municipal Hall Park and the Provincial Capitol, results show fair and good air quality index.

Both stations recorded a decrease compared to the results obtained during the second quarter monitoring.

La Trinidad Councilor Nestor Fongwan Jr. meanwhile said the Clean Air Act already empowers local government to implement similar programs and encouraged local councils all over Benguet for them to localize the ordinance on Clean Air Act.

Fongwan however said as much as possible, vehicle owners should conduct voluntary check to be aware of their vehicle condition.

“They should voluntarily check their vehicles because we have abundant repair shops that can minimize the emission of smoke,” he added.

Arthur Pedro, La Trinidad Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer added in addressing the increase of vehicles, the municipality is continuing to implement the carless day in order to lessen the number of vehicles traversing in the Benguet capital town.

He also urged fellow agencies and other municipalities to adopt their own carless day.

An ordinance prescribing emission standards for motor vehicles in La Trinidad was approved by the municipal council but was not given favourable review during the regular meeting of the Benguet Provincial Board on May 2017.

The members of the La Trinidad council instead is proposing an ordinance adopting the Clean Air Act which was approved on first reading.