BAGUIO CITY – Bent on implementing the clean air act and a city ordinance, personnel of the Roadside Inspection and Monitoring Team (RITMT) from the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) conducted 100 roadside operations from June 1 to July 30, and netted P1.2 M for their efforts.
The amount includes fees collected from voluntary testing, drivers’ penalties, testing and polluters’ fees and certificates of compliance.
Fines and penalties from diesel-fed vehicles gave P1,218,950 to the funds while one gasoline-using motor contributed P1,100.
The report was prepared by RITMT officer Engr. Moises Lozano and presented during the regular Alay Sa Kalinisan (ASK) meeting at city hall last week.
The RITMT group flagged 1331 vehicles and tested 1,233 wherein 479 or 38.85% passed; and 754 or 61.15 failed. Some vehicles were not tested as they were newly overhauled or due to other technicalities.
Vehicles tested include 13 government vehicles, 736 private vehicles, 185 taxis, 253 jeepneys, 14 vans, 20 buses, 5 school service, and 7 other vehicle types.
During the same forum, an air ambience report was presented for Aurora Hill and Veterans’ Park, Harrison Road stations; with “Good” and “Fair” readings, respectively. The rains helped settle impurities, it was known.
Measured air categories include being an emergency, acutely unhealthy, very unhealthy, unhealthy for sensitive groups, fair and good; as to responses from the population affected. Mayor Mauricio Domogan often emphasizes that polluted air is a major health concern for Baguioites, as reported by health authorities.
Air measurement results are reported during ASK where government agencies, the general public, the academe and private entities discuss various concerns affecting the city. The group meets every second Friday of the month at City Hall. **juliegfianza
