RITMT and Air Quality Reports
May 23, 2015
BAGUIO CITY – A little more than 69% of 1,557, or 1,057 vehicles passed the smoke-belching test by the Roadside Inspection Testing and Monitoring Team (RITMT) of the City Environment Parks Management Office (CEPMO) in a two-month period starting March 12.
Of the same number of vehicles which underwent testing, 482 or 30.96% failed.
This was reported during the regular Alay Sa Kalinisan (ASK) meeting last week with Mayor Mauricio Domogan presiding.
The operations for diesel-fed vehicles were done in Bonifacio st., Upper Session road, Harrison road, Buhagan rd., Naguilian, Magsaysay road, Marcos Highway, UP drive, Shuntug road, Kennon road, it was known in a report done by Engr. Moises Lozano of the Wastewater, Water and Ambient Air Management Division (WWAMD), CEPMO.
Offenders include public utility jeepneys, bus, vans, taxi, private vehicles, government vehicles, public school service, and other public vehicles.
Penalties from the operations totaled P463,000, with 309 vehicle owners complying; while P102,800 came from payment of previous offenders; voluntary testing of 2,027 diesel and gas-fed vehicles at P50 each contributed P101,350 for a grand total of P667,150 to a trust fund.
During the same forum, the summary of roadside ambient air quality monitoring was reported where at Upper Session road near the Post Office, air quality was “good,” which meant that the air is within the standard of General Ambient Air Condition. Air analysis at Mines View, Pacdal Circle, UP Baguio Campus, Bell Church, Happy Homes Old Lucban, were at “Fair.”
Both scores generally states that no health effect for the public should be recorded.
The scores from the portable air ambiance analyzing machines, are culled and averaged during a 6-day period. The weather is also considered during the time of air analysis.
During times when the code would state of “very unhealthy” air conditions, there should be a limit on outdoor activities, and restriction on vehicles and industrial activities, it was known.
Though thankful that the air analysis results have improved, Mayor Mauricio Domogan pointed out that more could be achieved with the use of quality vehicle fuel, vehicle age and maintenance. Observations were from recent visits to other Asian countries, it was known./Julie G. Fianza
