BAGUIO CITY – The City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) disclosed that the local government was able to earn P5.4 million from the fines paid by owners of motor vehicles who were penalized for violation of the city’s anti-smokebelching ordinance last year.
Engr. Moises Lozano, officer-in-charge of the assistant CEPMO, said that the collected fines from violators of the city’s anti-smokebelching ordinance was lower compared to the P5.7 million in fines for similar violations during the preceding year.
Last year, there were over 9,000 motor vehicles that were subjected to the roadside inspection, testing, monitoring and assessment compared to the over 8,000 motor vehicles which were subjected to similar tests the previous year.
Of the 95 government vehicles subjected to testing on roadsides last year, Lozano reported that 63 red plate vehicles passed the smokebelching test while 32 failed.
On the other hand, of the 5,131 private vehicles tested, 3673 vehicles passed the test while 1,258 vehicles filed.
For taxis, there were some 1,451 which were subjected to tests wherein 686 passed while some 765 vehicles failed the roadside smokebelching test.
Lozano claimed there were some 1,930 jeepneys that were subjected to the roadside test wherein 1,401 jeepneys passed and 529 failed the roadside smokebelching test.
Of the 16 vans that were tested last year, 11 passed and 5 filed the test. In terms of buses, there were 146 buses tested wherein 107 passed and 39 failed.
16 school services were subjected to the roadside test wherein 7 passed and 9 failed the test being undertaken by trained personnel of the local government.
According to him, there were 42 other types of motor vehicles that were subjected to the roadside test wherein 25 passed and 17 failed the same.
Under the city’s clean air ordinance which was approved in 2008, violators will be imposed a fine of P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 to P3,000 for the second offense and P3,000 to P5,000 for the third and succeeding offenses.
However, Lozano explained that interested owners of motor vehicles could avail of the voluntary testing upon payment of the P50 testing fee to make sure that their vehicles will be compliant to the emission standards prescribed by existing laws, rules and regulations.
Aside from the owner of the motor vehicles being penalized for violation of the city’s anti-smoking ordinance, the driver of the said motor vehicles will also be imposed fines ranging from P100 for the first offense, P100 to P200 for the second offense and P200 to P500 for the third and succeeding offenses.
Lozano urged motor vehicle owners to ensure that their vehicles are properly maintained to prevent the same from being apprehended during their operations that could cause unnecessary delays in their engagements considering the need for them to go to their testing center to have their vehicles checked once they will fail the prescribed roadside test which is being done daily in different strategic locations in the city.
By Dexter A. See
Banner photo by Armando M. Bolislis
