BAGUIO CITY – It has been observed that there is an increasing level of compliance on voluntary emission testing of both private vehicle owners and public transport group in the city.
“This is a good sign and development that motorists in the city are getting aware on the importance of having their vehicles undergo voluntary emission testing in order to improve air pollution in the city,” said mayor Maurcio Domogan.
However, with the increasing number of motorists availing of the voluntary emission testing and with only two available operating machines at the Sanitary Camp, said motorists need to wait for two to three hours waiting for their turn to be inspected.
Taking into consideration the development of the situation, Domogan mulls of purchasing an additional machine and to conduct emission testing at the Baguio Convention Center and/or at the City Engineers’ Office so as to accommodate the motorists.
With the city’s continuing campaign on the Clean Air Ordinance, the Roadside Inspection Testing and Monitoring Team (RTMT) will be conducting free emission testing along Harrison Road on November 12-13 from 8:00AM to 4PM.
Motor vehicle owners, operators and drivers found to be violating the clean air ordinance will be subject to polluters’ fees to be paid at the Treasury Office.
For first offenders, the motor vehicle owners/operator will pay P1,000 fine and a warning for the driver.
P2,000 fine will be paid for the second offense and additional P100 for the same driver.
For the third offense and subsequent offenses, the motor vehicle owner/operator will pay P3,000 fine plus P200 fine for the same driver.
Also, on the third and subsequent offenses, the motor vehicle owner/operator and driver must undergo a seminar on pollution control and management conducted by the Clean Air Monitoring Unit (CAMU) of the city government here.
“Let us help and support each other to decrease the air pollution in the city,” said the mayor.
Based on the recent report of the Environmental Management Bureau, Baguio City has a good to fair air quality.
Jho Arranz
