DOTr orders LTO to intensify anti-smoke belching operations

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of  Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to intensify its anti-smoke belching operations and strictly enforce the Clean Air Act of 1999.

In a statement released Thursday, the DOTr said Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade gave the order to the LTO in an online meeting held Tuesday.

“Dapat siguruhin natin na ang lahat ng mga sasakyan sa kalye ay sumusunod sa pamantayan (We should make sure that all vehicles on the streets will comply with the regulation),” Tugade said.

The DOTr chief ordered the LTO, as well as other concerned agencies, to also strictly enforce Republic Act No.8749, or the Clean Air Act of 1999.

Citing a study released by experts from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the University of the Philippines-Diliman’s Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology (IESM) and AirToday.ph, the air quality in Metro Manila had improved during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) which was enforced to contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Meanwhile, LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante said the agency will look into how the anti-smoke belching drive can be intensified.

“Magbubuo kami ng mga hakbang upang mapalawig at mapaigting ang implementasyon laban sa smoke-belching, alinsunod sa direktiba ni Secretary Tugade,” the LTO Chief said.

(We will find initiatives on how to enforce the implementation against smoke-belching, in line with the directive of Secretary Tugade.)

Metro Manila and other areas remain under ECQ until May 15 as COVID-19 cases in the country continue to soar.

As of Thursday, the Philippines has recorded 10,343 COVID-19 cases, with 1,618 recoveries and 685 deaths.

/MUF