PROCLAMATION 1109 issued in 1997 declared November as “Clean Air Month”. Yes, we have a law ensuring clean air. Signed on June 23, 1999 by the President Joseph Estrada, Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act seeks to promote and protect the citizens’ right to breathe clean air.
You read that right – every Filipino has a right to clean air. The landmark law seeks to curb pollutants from both mobile and stationary sources such as motor vehicles, cigarette smoking, garbage disposal facilities, farms, industrial plants, power installations, cement factories, and other sources that emit pollutants.
Poor air quality, both indoor and outdoor, is bad on our health. In fact, as early as six years ago, the government had been urged to strengthen efforts to address the causes of air pollution, especially in urban areas. The World Health Organization’s Ambient Air Pollution Study for 2014, which they based in the 2010 Clean Air Initiative Study, showed that the air quality in key Philippine cities was polluted.
Air quality is not an abstract environmental statistic but involves the welfare of the people. Increased levels of pollutants in the air can cause respiratory ailments. We must continue to promote programs that would improve the air quality in the country, especially in congested urban areas and business districts where industrial emissions and motor vehicle exhaust are high.
There are a number of practical actions that we can take to reduce emissions and make our air cleaner and safer. Do not dump nor burn your trash. Reduce your waste size by consuming responsibly and recycling more.
Compost – burn not – grass trimmings, fallen leaves, rice straws and other biodegradable discards from the garden, kitchen or farm.
Grow and nurture plants and trees to improve the quality of air around us.
Quit smoking to prevent tobacco smoke, a known human carcinogen, from harming your lungs and the health of those near you.
Walk, bike or carpool whenever possible, ride the emission-free “padyak” or take the public transport to get to your destination. Think of car-sharing before buying a vehicle. When you must buy one, look for reduced-emission vehicle. When you must drive, drive smoothly and properly, and get your car serviced regularly.
Travel less by planning ahead, linking all of your errands into a single trip, and patronizing businesses near you to cut down on driving time, cut emissions and boost the local economy.
Opt for water-based paints to cut back the volatile organic compounds (VOC) that are dispersed into the atmosphere and cause pollution. Avoid consumer spray or aerosol products to cut VOC emissions, and pick more eco-friendly substitutes like gels, sticks and solids.
We invite all caring citizens to consider these clean air tips and truly make a difference.
