Air Pollution

A clean and healthy environment is for the good of all and should therefore be a concern of all.

Air pollution is the introduction of particulates, biological molecules, or other harmful materials
into the Earth's atmosphere, possibly causing disease, death to humans, damage to other living
organisms such as food crops, or the natural or built environment. In the Philippines,
I believe Air pollution is a common and frequent problem nowadays. When you are on your way
to work, you pass by your neighbors backyard where he is currently burning their garbage from
yesterday, then you come across a smoke-belching public utility vehicle, then a guy beside you lighted a
cigarette and started suffocating you with second-hand smoke. You cannot always depend on your
handkerchief on covering your nose and mouth to prevent these air pollutants from entering your lungs.
According to the recent study, conducted by University of San Carlos Students on Air Quality
here in the Cebu City. In air pollution, USCs Josephine Castaares said that 70 percent comes from
mobile sources including taxis and other public utility vehicles. Only 20 percent come from fixed sources
like industries.
Major pollutants monitored were carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides.
Where before 80 percent of the volume of wastes in rivers came from domestic sources like households,
today its down to 50 percent. The other 50 percent comes from industrial sources.

The Philippines takes pride in being one of many countries around the world that is an active
party to international commitments for the environment -- be it for biodiversity, coastal and marine
resources, or to combat the effects of global warming and climate change.
What, then, has the country done so far to improve air quality? To curb air pollution from motor
vehicles, the Clean Air Act requires smoke emission tests prior to renewal of registration. The DOTCs

Land Transportation Office (LTO) has already operationalized its motor vehicle inspection centers to
large transport groups, while the private emission testing centers (PETCs) were established in various
parts of the country to provide testing services to public transport vehicles, including private-owned
vehicles.

Republic Act (RA) 8749: Philippine Clean Air Act (PCAA) of 1999 is the law that provides a
comprehensive air pollution control policy. Specifically, this legislative intends to apply air quality
management in all sources in order to implement abatement and control of air pollution.
One of the marching orders of President Aquino for the DENR is to clean the air not only in
Metro Manila but in all other urban centers in the country. This is understandable because if go by the
report of the Department of Health that 60%-70% of medicines sold in the market are for bronchitis,
asthma and other respiratory illnesses, we could say that air pollution is already taking its toll on our
people said.
As we can also remember, last 2007, the phaseout of leaded gasoline has improved air quality in
the country, more than 18 million people still live in cities with unhealthy levels of airborne particulate
matter.

We make choices everyday that can help reduce air pollution. As a student of
Environmental Law here in UC I came to appreciate the power of change on oneself that would
actually affect our surroundings, neighbors and the world in our own little ways. I would commit
myself this year to first to learn to conserve energy - turn off appliances and lights when you leave
the room, unplug the chargers when not in use and walk as much as I can and not rely on jeepneys

and taxis so much for transport. I would dedicate myself to plant as much trees as I can this year,
my goal is at least 20 trees this year, in my hometown in Leyte, at my apartment here in Cebu and
in all other places that I will be able to do so. More importantly, I would be more active in Luntian,
our Environmental Organization back in collage which strives empowerment and advocacy to
youths who are in concerned about the environment and would like to join the community in
proliferating environmentalist ideas.