Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Should a proposed amendment to the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 push through, owners of smoke belching vehicles will be held liable for polluting the air, instead of drivers and operators.
Quezon City Rep. Alfredo Vargas III is seeking to reform the clean air act through a proposal in House Bill 6298, which seeks to amend Section 46 of the said law.
The current version of the law penalizes drivers and operators mostly comprised of trucks and public utility vehicles (PUVs).
According to the lawmaker, “it can be assumed that the drivers of PUVs are just employers of the owners and do not necessarily have the proper means and control over major repairs of the vehicles.”
In a statement, Vargas explained that owners, under the current legislation, “are not compelled to make the necessary vehicle repairs or part replacements in order to comply with the emission standards” because drivers are the ones held liable. “Thus, the problem of smoke belching is not effectively addressed.”
Vargas also stressed the effects of air quality on the health of citizens.
Citing a partial report of the National Emissions Inventory, Vargas said that 85 percent of air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) came from vehicles.
“While the Philippine has enacted laws to attain clean and healthy air quality, further policy review is still needed as these statutes have proven to be inadequate in solving the country’s air pollution problem.”
Under his proposal, owners found at fault will undergo a seminar on pollution control and management conducted by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), will face the penalty of one year suspension of their respective motor vehicle registration (MVR). The fine will also be increased from P6,000 to P10,000.
