BAGUIO CITY – Data from particulate matter (PM 10) measuring machines show that Baguio air fares “good” to “fair” in most areas, scoring 115 microgram/cm3 where the standard is 150 mu/cm3.
This was announced by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Environmental Management Board (EMB) head Reynaldo Digamo in a “Kapihan para sa Kalikasan,” last Tuesday at their new office along Gibraltar, Pacdal.
This was also the content of the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) data for the regular monitoring done in 2016, Digamo said. Air in certain places in Tublay and Sablan, and the Benguet Capitol and Km. 5 areas in La Trinidad were regularly monitored.
As the PM 2.5 measuring machine along lower Session road was destroyed, replacements are awaited, pending purchase of 28 units for other areas, he also said.
Digamo said the BLISTT airshed was activated with activities in emission inventory, area walkability tests, and monitoring.
Area walkability was conducted last month, from upper Session road up to city hall, where certain mobile and non-mobile pollutant sources were pointed out. Validation was done for areas suitable for walking on said route.
As for smoke-belching vehicle monitoring, testing centers around the city are requested to be regulated. Digamo said there are regional monitoring laws for the matter./Julie G. Fianza#
