Unioil, DENR-EMB to provide air quality monitoring stations nationwide
Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc. (Unioil) has partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENREMB) to establish a reliable network of air quality monitoring stations in various locations nationwide.
The petroleum company has already installed numerous AirVisual monitors – ambient air monitoring instruments – mostly at Unioil service stations, to transmit live data to the internet, as part of its commitment to making relevant air quality information available to the DENR and millions of Filipinos.
“This memorandum of agreement manifests our support to DENR’s mandate to protecting the environment and its key objective of preparing a national air quality status report. We believe that this is a major step toward providing cleaner air for the next generation,” said Unioil president Kenneth Pundanera, who added that the report will be used as a basis in formulating an integrated air quality improvement framework.
“We are proud to offer DENR live data from our active air quality monitoring stations. Through this agreement, we shall further expand the installations of our air quality monitoring stations in full support of the programs of the DENR,” Pundanera said.
The DENR welcomes the support of Unioil in helping address the problem of poor air quality. “This is the first time that an industry player as big as Unioil is helping the department in addressing this kind of problem. We really welcome the assistance and support of Unioil,” DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones said.
The AirVisual monitors are state-of-the-art air quality monitoring instruments that use laser sensors to measure hazardous particulate matter down to 2.5 micro meters size (PM2.5). It also uses the latest technology like big data, artificial intelligence, and the internet to provide a visual image of air quality in DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones (center) and Unioil president Kenneth Pundanera (2nd from left) sign an agreement that will establish air quality monitoring stations in various locations nationwide. Joining them are (from left) CAPMI chairman Dr. Michael Aragon, DENR-EMB air quality management section chief Gerry Capulong, and CAPMI president Manny Galvez. the Philippines to millions of cleaner fuels, such as Euro people through an air quality 5, launching of the first solar mobile app. powered gas station and electric
The partnership is expected vehicle charging station, to boost the DENR’s capability and the deployment of air to pursue their mandate of quality monitoring stations in ensuring a cleaner and safer air the Philippines. under the Clean Air Act of 1999. The latest effort of Unioil is
During the ceremony, the part of its “Doing Our Part” Clean Air Philippines Movement campaign which encourages Inc., a strong advocate Filipinos to make a difference of clean air in the Philippines, in society through the also awarded Unioil as its small, everyday actions and first corporate clean air champion. responsible decisions they This is in recognition of make, including the decision Unioil’s initiatives of introducing to choose a cleaner fuel.