Smoke belchers in the city

(Published in Zamboanga Today on January 22, 2008.)

Smoke belchers are actually banned—in Shanghai, China, and if we were to consider that there is such a thing as the Clean Air Act of the Philippines, yes, ladies and gentlemen, indeed, smoke belching is actually banned in any part of the more than 7,100 islands in the Philippines, be it low or high tide. Hence, by virtue of this national law, smoke belching is not allowed in Zamboanga City.

Some of us complain of the existence of smoke belchers—but that is the best that we can do: murmur, if not curse the erring driver or vehicle owner. Some of us shrug the issue of, simply because we are traveling in the comfort of our air-conditioned vehicles. Some of us no longer mind the thick black smoke emitted from these violators because we already are used to breathing dirty air; besides there are greater worries such as what to feed our children, where to get money to settle our bills, and so on. But then, again, some of us know that the existence of smoke belchers should, at a given point in time, end. And if the City Government of Zamboanga would please enforce the law, that time should be now.

These violating emissions effect an unhealthy environment, and pose a threat to human health, especially to some among us who suffer from asthma and other respiratory ailments.

Republic Act 8749, better known as the Clean Air Act, prescribes stringent regulations and, recognizing the principle that ‘polluters must pay’, imposes severe sanctions on violators. The law mandates the non-registration of motor vehicles that do not qualify the emission-testing standards (see Secs. 21-25), and prescribes the use of benzene and aromatics for unleaded gasoline to further lessen air pollution (see Secs. 26-28).

The Clean Air Act likewise states that vehicles that do not comply with the emission standards prescribed by the Department of Transportation and Communication will be impounded, and their license plates removed pending compliance with said standards, and fined (see Secs. 45ff.).

The law is supposed to have a strong arm that could go after vehicles that are emitting stinking smoke that is hazardous to our health. Is the law asleep? Or do we ask now, is the government agency concerned not up on its feet yet? Why do we have smoke belchers driving around a beautiful place like Asia’s Latin City?

The law is not but a piece of paper. Neither can our health, nor the air we breathe, be compromised.

During the opening of the Tzu Chi Great Love Eye Center, City Mayor Celso Lobregat verily said, “We cannot compromise our health.”

Well said, sir. Now, what about the smoke belchers in Asia’s Latin City? (Frencie L. Carreon)