Monday, August 11, 2008 Groups urge LGU’s to mind air
SOME cause-oriented groups sent letters reminding officials of local government units (LGUs) and National Government agencies to do something about the air quality in Metro Cebu.
Among the signatories were lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and Vince Cinches of the Fisherfolks Development Center (Fidec).
The groups said they are concerned about the deteriorating air quality in Metro Cebu and the lack of attention paid to environmental concerns, notably the failure to enforce the Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act 8749).
They said that LGUs, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are mandated to ensure the air quality standards are maintained.
Gross violations
Failure to implement the law “constitutes gross and continuing violations of our right to breathe clear air, the right to life and good health and a healthy and balanced ecology.”
Citing Section 41 of the Clean Air Act, Ramos said they are writing to give the agencies 30 days’ notice of their intention to file a lawsuit against them.
Copies of the letters were sent to DENR Secretary Jose Atienza, DTI 7 Director Asteria Caberte, DENR Regional Executive Director Leonardo Sibbaluca, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, and Mayors Tomas Osmeña, Jonas Cortes, Arturo Radaza, Valdemar Chiong and Socrates Fernandez of the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Naga and Talisay, respectively.
Copies of letters
Other copies of the letter were also sent to Director Raul Aguilos of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7, Director Alan Arranguez of the Environmental Management Bureau and Mayors Adelino Sitoy, Ritchie Wagas, Eduardo Selma, Vincent Frasco and Avelino Gungob Sr. of Cordova, Compostela, Minglanilla, Liloan and Consolacion, respectively.
The groups said that these officials also failed to activate the Metro Cebu Air Shed Management Board required by RA 8749.
When sought to comment, Caberte said they can answer the lawsuit because they have been very strict in the accreditation of Private Emission Testing Centers (PETCs) that examine vehicles about to be registered with the LTO.
“All PETCs in Cebu are accredited by the DTI because they followed the standards set by law,” Caberte said. (EOB)
