Cleaning up the air

Here's a rare piece of good news: By April, leaded gasoline will no longer be sold in Metro Manila. This week the government signed an agreement with officials of Petron Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Caltex Philippines Inc. as well as new players Total Petroleum Philippines Corp., Unioil Corp., Flying V, Eastern Petroleum Corp. and Subic Bay Distribution Inc., phasing out leaded gasoline nine months ahead of the January 2001 deadline mandated under Republic Act 8479 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999. Energy officials aim to phase out unleaded gasoline nationwide within this year.

Unleaded is cleaner fuel, which means cleaner tailpipe emissions. The agreement will force owners of old vehicles to buy catalytic converters for the switch to unleaded fuel. The additional expense, however, can be made up for in savings in health care. Cleaner fuel means cleaner air -- a luxury that disappeared years ago from Metro Manila. Air pollution can lead to allergies, respiratory diseases, eye and skin infections. The polluted air forced non-air-conditioned taxis into retirement and is a major reason for the growing popularity of air-conditioned buses despite the higher fares.

Phasing out leaded gasoline may prove easier than going after vehicles that foul up the air. Months after the passage of the Clean Air Act, these vehicles are still all over Metro Manila. Buses, trucks, vans, cars, motorcycles, jeepneys -- sometimes the noxious fumes they emit are so thick and dark they obscure the road and cause traffic accidents.

Why the lax enforcement of anti-pollution laws? One problem is the lack of manpower to go after the polluters. Another is the lack of vehicle emission testing centers. The environment police, however, can give priority to vehicles with the foulest emissions. One doesn't have to look very far for these vehicles -- their noxious black fumes can be spotted a kilometer away. And many of the polluters are big vehicles -- buses, trucks and heavy construction equipment.

Getting the lead out of gasoline isn't enough. Vehicles must also be properly maintained to minimize pollution from tailpipe emissions. The phaseout of unleaded fuel must go hand in hand with an intensified campaign against the polluters.