Gov’t cars included in anti-smoke drive

By Paul Rillorta

BAGUIO CITY – The city government’s campaign against smoke belching vehicles is on with the road side inspection testing and monitoring team apprehending violators.

City Environment and Parks Management Officer Cordelia Lacsamana said they would be very strict with the implementation of the Clean Air Ordinance of the city and there would be no exemption to the rule.

Lacsamana said government vehicles are not exempted from apprehension once they are flagged by the team for smoke belching after these are tested on the spot.

The team January to March apprehended 378 vehicles which failed on the spot tests, 70 percent of which were public utility vehicles (PUVs)..

Six government vehicles were also apprehended by the RITMT, although the vehicles’ plates have been retrieved after passing re-test and have paid polluters fee.

Penalty for the first offense is P1,000, P2,000.00 for the second and P3,000 for the third plus additional P100.00 for re-testing.

Operations are conducted along Governor Pack, Magsaysay Avenue , Kennon Road , Naguilian Road , Session Road, BGH Rotunda, Marcos Hi-way, Bonifacio Street , Government Center and Harrison Road at any time of the day.

The RITMT is composed of the Baguio City Police Office headed by Senior Supt. Agripino Javier, Baguio Emergency Coordinating Group headed by Judge Adolfo Malingan and the Public Order and Safety Division headed by Gregorio Deligero.