BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The government continues to ensure inclusivity in planning for community development.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) convened private individuals, line agencies, educational institutions, transportation groups and the local government units of Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, Tublay (BLISTT), for a public consultation on October 4,2024 in Baguio City.
This consultation aims to encourage the support of various sectors in the proposed designation of an attainment area for particulate matter 10 (PM10).
Particulate matters are pollutants composed of mixtures of chemical species. PM10 are particles with a diameter of 10 microns or less (smaller than a human hair) and if inhaled, may induce adverse health effects.
The designation of an attainment area would provide an air quality management system, of which criteria for pollutants shall be monitored, sampled and measured in accordance with Republic Act 8479 or the Clean Air Act.
Data coming from the attainment area will prompt involved stakeholders to form and implement local ordinances and agency policies relative to the protection of air sheds.
These movements are in line with the government’s pursuit of cleaner, safer and healthier place for the community to live and work.
EMB-CAR Regional Director Jean Borromeo said that clean air is an important component of life, and therefore, its protection is a must.
“Clean air is not just a scientific goal, it is a moral imperative, a right for every citizen, and a legacy we leave for future generations. Lower Session Road is not just a part of our city’s landscape, it is a vital artery of life, commerce and culture. To ensure its vibrancy, we must ensure that air we breathe remains clean and safe for all,” she emphasized.
Borromeo further highlighted the positive effects of collaboration in this undertaking.
“As we aim for PM10 attainment, we set a foundation for a sustainable, healthier future. This consultation is a testament to the power of collaboration, it is an opportunity for us to listen, to share, and to work together toward a common goal. Every voice matters in shaping the policies that will protect not only our air, but also our shared future,” she said. **JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR