Netizen catches smoke-belching MMDA vehicle on video

A 20-second video taken by Moises Meman which he also posted on his Facebook account captured what appears to be an official Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) vehicle while spewing thick black exhaust smoke.

In Meman’s video, the MMDA service vehicle, with a government license plate (SEK 769), appears to be in violation of Republic Act No. 8749, or the Clean Air Act, which bans smoke-belching vehicles on the road.

According to Meman, he came across the vehicle as it traversed Kalayaan Avenue toward Edsa at around 3 p.m. of Feb. 11.

Meman said he posted the video online “to call the MMDA administration’s attention and see if they are really sincere in addressing issues like this.”

As part of the Interagency Council on Traffic, which implements the “Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok” campaign, the MMDA is one of several transport-related agencies tapped to check and ensure public utility vehicles have proper tires, working brakes and lights, as well as pass emission standards.

Sought for comment, MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said that an investigation has already been called to determine why the vehicle, which is one of the agency’s three shuttle services, was sent out despite it having been “recommended for calibration.”

Pialago has assured the public that on orders of MMDA assistant general manager for operations Roberto Almadin, the vehicle is now being held at the agency’s motor pool and that those who dispatched it last weekend will be facing possible sanctions.

As of this writing, Pialago said they have yet to find out what was the vehicle’s purpose when it was caught on video by Meman.   /muf