Anti-smoke belching drive to loosen a bit

THE City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (Clenro) is planning to loosen up its strict implementation of the anti-Smoke belching campaign.

Clenro chief Engineer Armen Cuenca said drivers and operators of jeepneys that exceed the 2.5 smoke opacity ceiling required for motor vehicles be issued warnings initially, instead of being fined on the condition that they repair their units immediately afterward.

Cuenca said those jeepney units who reach 2.5 to 3.0 level of air index shall only be given final warnings, without penalty. Jeepney units that reach 3.0 above of the level of smoke opacity will be the group that will be fined.

"Dili na kaayo sya istrikto nga implementation kay maluoy pud ta nga igo ra naka-reach sa 2.5 unya penalty na dayon. So, we are proposing to increase the threshold to give drivers and operators a chance," he added.

Currently, the Clenro team is popping up in different areas of the city to check the jeepneys' quality of smoke.

Violators of the antiSmoke Belching Law will be fined P500 for the first offense, P1,000 for second and subsequent offenses, and will be required to undergo a seminar on pollution control and management.

Non-compliance can lead to suspension of Motor Vehicle Registration for a period of 6 months to 1 year for the third offense.