THE CITY'S Environment and Parks Management Office recorded a decrease in smoke emission violators in 2017 as compared to 2016.
In the weekly “Ugnayan sa Environmental Code” forum, Cepmo pointed out an increase in the number of voluntary emission testers coming to their office for emission testing prior to registering their vehicles.
Engineer Moises Lozano said the Roadside Inspection, Testing and Monitoring Team or RITMT recorded 22,338 voluntary testers as compared to 18,461 in 2016. Of the 22,338, 60 percent passed while 40 percent failed.
Most violations involved private vehicles followed by taxi cabs and public utility jeeps. There were 105 government vehicles that failed.
"Based on our observation, although old private vehicles continue to lead in failing the smoke emission testing, we recommend to them to practice proper maintenance of their vehicles," Lozano reiterated.
Baguio Regreening Movement chairman Erdolfo Balajadia recommended a systematic information campaign for those private vehicles found to be smoke belchers.
"It would be proper for Cepmo and RITMT to ask the help of media in informing vehicle owners by publishing or announcing to the public the plate numbers for the vehicle owners to do the necessary repair and maintenance," Balajadia said.
Meanwhile, the problem on credible emission test readings between the RITMT and private emission testing centers used prior to the registration of vehicles have to be clear.
"All vehicle owners passes the emission testing readings coming from private emission testing centers, but unfortunately fails when being tested by the RITMT,” Lozada claimed. “Unfortunately, the agency tasked to do the monitoring of private emission test centers have seize to monitor them."
Cepmo Head Coleen Laxamana explained during Balajadia’s term in the city council, Baguio City made a headway by having a tripartite agreement between RITMT, PETC's, and the Department of Transportation and Railways for all to check testing equipments when queries are present.
Laxamana added the tripartite agreement is only being done in Baguio City.