MANILA, Philippines – Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV is seeking an investigation into reports that some emission testing centers were allegedly engaged in illegal activities such as non-appearance scheme or ghost testing of motor vehicles in exchange for additional fees.
Aquino said he filed a resolution seeking to look into the efficiency of emission testing centers in the issuance of emission compliance certificates (ECCs) as one of the basic requirements of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) before a vehicle is processed for renewal registration
“There had been reports that the private and public emission testing centers in LTO are remiss in their duties in properly implementing the law through the issuance of false emission compliance certificates (ECCs),” he said in a statement on Thursday.
Illegal activities by some testing centers, the senator said, defeat the purpose of Republic Act 9749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act, which was passed in 1999 to maintain the quality of air and protect human life from the dangers of air pollution.
Senator Bam Aquino
Under the Clean Air Act, a National Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program has been established to promote the efficient and safe operation of motor vehicles and ensure the reduction of emissions from motor vehicles.
As part of the program, Aquino said, vehicles are required to undergo inspection and maintenance program as a requisite for renewal of registration and mandatory inspection to determine compliance with the in-use emission standards.
“The national government should be able to provide a quick systematic solution to the proliferation of these false ECCs in order to promote overall motor vehicle safety and prescribe an intensive convergence program towards the full implementation of the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999,” he said.
Aquino said continuing increase in motor vehicles, lack of mass public transit system, and worsening traffic conditions further contribute to increasing air pollution.
“Needless to state, all motor vehicles (MV) must comply with exhaust emission standards prior to registration and operation in public highways,” said the senator.
With the increasing air pollution, Aquino said, the Philippines is now ranked 114th in the recent Environmental Performance Index (EPI) report released by Yale University in terms of environmental performance of a state’s policies.
In terms of air quality, the Philippines ranked 85th and 110th in health impacts.
Aquino also pointed out the latest data from the Department of Health (DOH) , which showed that 60 percent of lung cancer cases and other respiratory related diseases in the Philippines are because of air pollution.
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