DENR urged to act on poor air quality

MANILA, Philippines — Representatives from communities affected by air pollution gathered last week in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources office in Quezon City to protest the DENR’s alleged inaction on a report about poor and unhealthy air quality in the country. 

The protest on Thursday was led by the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) and joined by environmental advocates under the Power for People Coalition.

“We are dismayed by the DENR’s lack of action to the report of Air Visual. The DENR does not know the state of air pollution in the country. The government must protect the air Filipinos breathe,” Ian Rivera, national coordinator of PMCJ, said.

The Healthcare Without Harm also asked the DENR to do its part in battling air pollution and coal-fired power plants.

“We challenge the DENR to fast-track the review of the standards on emissions and air quality that it currently implements, and strengthen its hold on the accountability of polluters,” Rivera said.