THE proposed Bus Rapid Transit may reduce air pollution in Cebu City because it will use low emission diesel.
The TransCebu Bus Rapid Transit will use the Euro IV standard diesel engine, “an ultra-low emission diesel engine.”
Rafael Yap, executive director of the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom), said Euro IV diesel contains low sulfur compared to diesel being used today by buses.
Yap said that Philippine diesel fuel uses Euro II which has high sulfur content, a major air pollutant.
BRT lead consultant Colin Brader said that even if Euro IV diesel is still required in the country by 2015, the proposed BRT is designed to run on low sulfur fuel.
Herbert Fabian, transport program manager of the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) Center said the use Euro IV diesel would be good for the environment and the health of commuters and the public in general.
“The TransCebu project may reduce the mortality cases caused by air pollution” said Fabian.
The forum in Laguna Garden Cafe was attended by representatives of the Movement for Livable Cebu (MLC), the academe, environment groups, local health and environment officials, and City Hall officials.
Stella Ygoña, chief of the Cebu City Health Department, said that air pollution primarily attacks the respiratory system and causes diseases such as cardiovascular infection, pneumonia, , asthma and chronic bronchitis.
These are among the ten leading causes of death in 2011, said Ygoña.
Meanwhile, Randy Navarro, officer in charge of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), pointed out that “the city doesn’t have a pollution office.
Navarro said a proposal was submitted to the City Council for the creation of an air quality control division of the CENRO.
He said he hopes the measure will be approved by the City Council committee on environment headed by Councilor Nida Cabrera. /Correspondent Tweeny M. Malinao