Lead fight vs pollution, Aquino urged

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) on Friday called on President Benigno Aquino III to lead the fight against air pollution, even as it noted an increase in the sales of medication meant for cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases that the group said can be caused by chronic exposure to polluted air.

“We urgently ask you to take the added burden of leading the fight to save the 14 million residents of Metro Manila against the clear and present danger of air pollution that continuously threatens their lives daily,” Dr. Oscar Tinio, president of the umbrella organization of doctors in the country, asked Mr. Aquino.

Tinio noted that at least 40 percent of medicines purchased by consumers in the capital are indicated for cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.  Chronic exposure to polluted air, he said, has been proven to be “incompatible” to human life.  Air pollution can cause respiratory diseases such as lung cancer; cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke; low intelligence quotient, and other neurological ailments.

Failed attempts

The Department of Health has also attributed the high incidence of noncommunicable diseases like allergies, acute respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, cancer and cardiovascular ailments to air pollution.

The PMA has noted that the government has made several attempts to improve the air quality in the capital, but failed.

Among the measures introduced by the government was the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s ban on smoking in public places, which was stopped by a preliminary injunction issued by a Mandaluyong regional trial court after a petition by two smokers apprehended by MMDA environmental officers in July last year.