Air pollution is caused by the presence of toxic substances in the atmosphere wherein majority is produced by human activities. A main contributor to air pollution are vehicles that have combustion engines that produces air pollutants like nitrogen oxides.
The government is implementing the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) wherein vehicles use European Emission Standards which is environmentally friendly.
As posted on Inquirer.net, Friday, April 12, 2019: “The government launched last June 19 what it calls the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program. Spearheaded by the Department of Transportation, the program is aimed at providing a safe and comfortable transport system, predictable travel time for commuters, and disciplined and competent drivers.
The most controversial component of the program is the phaseout of all old PUVs such as buses and public vans and about 200,000 jeepneys. From a tourist attraction decades ago, the ubiquitous jeepney has become a symbol of inefficiency as it contributes to traffic congestion and pollutes the air.
The idea is to replace old PUVs with eco-friendly vehicles powered by engines compliant with international environment standards or electrically powered, with solar panels for roofs. These vehicles are intended to be accessible to both senior citizens and persons with disability, and equipped with safety and convenience features such as CCTV cameras, GPS navigation, an automatic fare collection system, Wi-Fi, speed limiters and dashboard cameras.
The Board of Investments plans to have the concept vehicle for eco-friendly PUVs ready before the end of the year. According to Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, who also serves as BOI chair, deliberations are being conducted on the design of the main vehicle for the PUV manufacturing program; he describes it as “a modern solution and a modern design for PUVs that are more efficient and safer.””
The Cordillera Basic Sectors Transport Cooperative (CBSTC) is the first and only Regional Transport Cooperative in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) supports the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the government.
CBSTC spokesperson Rex A. Bayangan believes that the solution to all transportation problems in the Cordillera is the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program that President Rodrigo R. Duterte want to pursue in the country. CBSTC has full support of the PUVMP, and determined to help the government on the said program.
The PUVMP will help restore a better environment in the City of Baguio. The Summer Capital of the Philippines was a Hall of Fame Awardee in the Search for Clean and Green on local governments, highly urbanized cities, in 1995. People of Baguio wishes to be back to that time when Baguio has cleaner air, cleaner water and greener mountains.
“BASTA CBSTC SAFETY” is not only for the safety of people but also for the safety of the environment.
