Emission violations: DENR–7 backs move to punish owners of public vehicles

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources–7 is supporting the move of a lawmaker to transfer to the owner of the vehicle the liability for smoke belching.

At present, liability lies with the driver and operator of the vehicle.

Rep. Alfredo D. Vargas III (5th District, Quezon City) believes transferring the liability would strengthen Republic Act 8749 or the “Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999.”

Under House Bill 6298, Vargas wants the owner of the vehicle penalized by undergoing a seminar on pollution control and management with the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).

He also wants the vehicle’s registration suspended for a year and the fine raised to P10,000 from P6,000.

The current version of the law penalizes drivers and operators of motor vehicles who violate emission standards. Most of these vehicles are trucks and public utility vehicles (PUVs).

Vargas said it can be assumed that drivers of PUVs are just employers of the owners and do not necessarily have the proper means and control over major repairs of the vehicles.

“With the driver held liable, owners are not compelled to make the necessary vehicle repairs or part replacements in order to comply with the emission standards. Thus, the problem of smoke belching is not effectively addressed,” Vargas said.

 Calling it a “positive” proposal, DENR-7 spokesperson, Dr. Eddie Llamedo, said Vargas’ proposal is welcome as long as it promotes responsibility. 

 Llamedo pointed out that there must be proper and thorough consultation or dialogues on the proposal to hear the sentiments of those who might be affected by it.

 Vargas has pointed out that residents in Metro Manila are highly vulnerable to developing cardiovascular illnesses and respiratory diseases due to the worsening air quality there.

Citing a partial report of the National Emissions Inventory, Vargas said 85 percent of air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) comes from vehicles.

But for Cebu, the biggest source of air pollution or 58 percent are mobile sources — motor vehicles, planes and ships. Stationary sources make up 20 percent of pollution, such as industrial firms, smokestacks of power plants, hotels, and other establishments, according to recent report of the Environmental Management Bureau-7.

 The remaining 14 percent is sourced from smoking, burning of garbage, and dust from construction, site development and unpaved grounds.  (FREEMAN)