The Environment Department said it will strictly monitor and assess air quality in the country amid the thriving local automobile industry.
Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said a more stringent air quality monitoring was necessary as car sales hit record levels in recent years, with motor vehicles a major contributor to ambient air pollution.
“The increase in purchasing vehicles is one of the reasons why we have to become stricter in monitoring the air quality and smoke emissions,” Paje said.
The Philippine automotive industry posted sales of 323,928 units in 2015, the highest ever and surpassing the previous record of 269,841 in 2014.
Paje said 70 percent to 80 percent of air pollution in Metro Manila was caused by vehicle emissions.
He said the Environmental Management Bureau had successfully installed air quality monitoring stations in each of the 17 local government units in Metro Manila.
“These monitoring stations broadcast real-time values of ambient air quality over the National Capital Region. The values from the monitoring stations are reported in comparison with the national air quality guidelines for health,” Paje said.
