Message

Every year, the health of countless people the world over is ruined by air pollution. Filipinos are no exemption to this dilemma. In the Philippines, is still the most polluted region. It is where most of the man- made pollution are generated; from the smoke belching vehicles, industrial plants, cigarette smoking, open burning to improper waste management. Be- ing the center of economic activities in the country hundreds of thousands of people flock here every year aggravating the air pollution condition of the re- gion.

The Government is alarmed about this growing problems and as a means to mitigate the air quality condition of the metropolis, focusing on projects that are capable of sustaining the environment and beneficial to the entire citizen- ry are given priority. The trade-off of development must be critically ana- lyzed. Let us be more aware on the environment. Everyone should be consci- entious and vigilant on how he contributes to the worsening air pollution.

This report shows the advancing state of the air quality in Metro Manila in contrast to previous year’s air quality status and how the government, partic- ularly EMB-NCR policies and programs influence the reduction of air pollu- tion.

Merit is due to the people behind the preparation of this report specifically the Chief and staff of the Planning, Programming, Management Information Sys- tem and Statistics and Environmental Education and Information Division, Pollution Control Division, Local Government Units and all government or- ganizations involved for their support.

Vizminda A. Osorio Regional Director NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION 2012 AIR QUALITY STATUS REPORT

PREFACE

The Regional Air Quality Status Report of 2012 opens the minds of every Fili- pino on the reality that the atmosphere contains droplets and minute particles that are destructive to human health.

This report was drafted in accordance with the guidelines set by the Environmental Management Bureau- Central Office.

Its aim is to inform the public of the operations and varied programs of the government in controlling and preventing the escalation of air pollution in Metro Manila.

It also provides clear understanding and appreciation on the efforts of EMB- NCR in responding to the demand of present era in determining appropriate air quality index management and thereby employing the optimum technology available.

This report was undertaken by the EMB-NCR technical and non-technical staff who are non-professional writers. Nevertheless, this write-up hopes to provide valuable information that lead readers, researchers and others to their consciousness on the significance of having a healthful environment.

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Table of Contents Page Number

Preface 1

Introduction 2

Ambient Air Monitoring 3

Air Monitoring Stations 4

Result of Ambient Roadside Monitoring 5

Real Time Monitoring 9

Air Quality Index 11

Initiatives of the Regional Office 14

Management of Mobile Sources 15

Issues and Concerns 15

Recommendations 16

Acknowledgement 18

Bibliography 19 NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION 2012 AIR QUALITY STATUS REPORT

Introduction

A Pollutant is any substance in air that refuse burning due to unavailability of could, in high concentration, harm ani- adequate landfills , road dust, construc- mals, humans, vegetation, and/ or mate- tion activities and open burning. rials. Such Pollutants may be present as solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases. This report also discusses the status of (Business Dictionary). Metro Manila’s air quality for CY 2012, air quality management practices, the The country’s air quality is still a source initiatives of the Regional Office, chal- of despondency among authorities de- lenges/issues and concerns and recom- spite various intensified efforts of DENR mendations to mitigate air pollution and other government units as well as problem of Metro Manila for CY 2012. private entities to improve the air quality status of highly urbanized areas specifi- Many forms of air pollution are human cally within Metro Manila area. –made. Industrial plants, power plants and vehicles with internal combustion The sources of air pollution within Metro engine produce nitrogen oxides. VOCs, Manila have become a perennial concern carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur not only of the DENR but also of the De- dioxide and particulates are on top of partment of Health for the serious respir- the line pollutants. In most urban cities atory problems it creates among resi- like Metro Manila, motor vehicles are dents. The Department of Health cited the main source of these pollutants. air pollution as one of the three major Stoves and farmers burning their crop leading health concerns of the Metropo- wastes produce carbon monoxide, car- lis. However, this Office believes that bon dioxide as well as particulates. Oth- EMB-NCR is making progress to reduce er human made sources include aerosol particulate emissions in the air. sprays and leaky refrigerators as well as fumes from paint, varnish and other This report, discusses the sources and solvents. With this, we hope that the effects of pollution coming from jeepneys, report could provide everyone an un- buses, other public utility vehicles and derstanding of how we contribute to tricycles as many of these are old models the worsening problem of air pollu- and have inefficient emission systems. tion and inculcate that environmental They compose the highest source of protection is everyone’s concern. pollution in Metro Manila. Other sources in the ladder are: industrial plants, commercial establishments,

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Air Quality

Ambient Air Monitoring

“Ambient air quality means the general amount of pollution present in a broad ar- ea and refers to the atmosphere’s average purity as distinguished from discharge measurements taken at the source of pol- lution” (Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999).

EMB-NCR is operating and maintaining thirteen (13) ambient air quality monitor- ing stations within Metro Manila. Said stations were strategically situated as fol- lows: Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valen- Figure 1. Air Quality Monitoring Station in MMDA Guadalupe, Ma- zuela in Maysan Valenzuela; Manila Ob- kati City servatory Compound - Ateneo University, Katipunan Road; National Ecology Center - East Avenue; National Printing Office- EDSA; Marikina Sports Complex- Sumu- long Highway; DOH – ; Man- daluyong City Hall- Maysilo Circle; Ma- kati Bureau of Fire Compound - Ayala Av- enue cor. Buendia St.; MMDA Compound.- EDSA; Pasay Rotonda Station-EDSA cor. , Radyo ng Bayan Compound in Marulas Valenzuela and NAMRIA Compound, and Muntinlupa Bilibid Prison Compound.

Of the said stations five are measuring General Ambient air whereas the remain- ing stations are measuring Roadside am- bient air. Figure 2. Air Quality Monitoring Station in National Printing Office, Quezon City

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Following is the identification and location of the different ambient air moni- toring stations which EMB-NCR operated for the year under review:

Station No./ID & Clas- Pollutants Monitored Coordinates Location/Address sification

1 TSP N-14’41.609’ Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valen- General zuela, Cmpd E-120’59.153’ Ambient Maysan, Valenzuela 2 TSP N-14’38.151’ Manila Observatory, Loyola General Heights, Quezon City E-120’04.730’ Ambient PM10-RT N14’38.670’ E-120’04.730’ PM 2.5-RT N-14’39.670’ E-120’04.731’ 3 N-14’38.670’ National Ecology Center Cmpd. Roadside Ambient TSP East Avenue, Quezon City E-121”02.464’ 4 N-14’36.915’ National Printing Office Cmpd, Roadside Ambient TSP/PM 10 EDSA Diliman Quezon City E-121’02.464 5 TSP N-14’38.129’ Marikina Sports Complex Road side Ambient E-121’05.870’ PM10 N14’38.138’ E-121’05.872’ 6 TSP N-14’36.915’ DOH Compound Rizal Avenue, Roadside Ambient Sta. Cruz Manila E-120’120.58950’ PM10 N-14’36.914’ E-120.’58.951’ 7 PM 10 N-14”40.708’ MMDA Compound, City Roadside E-120”58.613’ ambient 8 TSP N-14”33.762 City Hall Compound Roadside Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City E-120”01.998 Ambient 9 TSP N-14’33.762 Makati Fire Bureau Cmpd.,Bel-air, Roadside Makati City E-120”00.621 Ambient 10 PM10 N-14’33.686 MMDA Compound, Guadalupe Roadside Makati E-120’00.621’ Ambient 11 PM 10 N-14’32.1114’ Muntinlupa Bilibid Prison Com- General pound, Bilibid, Muntinlupa E-121’35.645’ Ambient A PM10 (RT) N-14’40.706’ Radyo ng Bayan Compound, Don General Pedro Subdivision, Marulas , E-120’58.614’ ambient Valenzuela PM 2.5 (RT) N-14’.40.709’ E-120’58.613’ B PM10 (RT) N-14’32.115’ Namria Compound General Lawton Ave., Fort Bonifacio, E-120’02.522’ Ambient Taguig PM 2.5 (RT) N-14’32.115 E-120’02.523

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Fig. 3. 2012 TSP Concentration Annual Geometric Mean Registered at Different Monitoring Stations

Results of the ambient (roadside and The heavy concentration of particulate general) monitoring in the nine (9) air in the area could also be attributable quality monitoring stations measuring to the stop-go traffic situation wherein Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) in excessive emission from vehicle ex- NCR for CY 2012 showed that MRT- haust could be observed. Taft Avenue station registered the highest TSP level. This had been ob- Mandaluyong station as observed also served for the last three years of moni- in the previous year registered the toring. MRT-Taft station registered next highest exceedance in the TSP an annual TSP geometric mean aver- concentration for a long term guideline age of 218 µg/Ncm which is more than value of 90 µg/Ncm. Of the total sam- twice the long term guideline value of ples collected during the year, it was 90 µg/Ncm. The station is situated during the month of March, the onset near the intersection of two artery of the summer season wherein the air roads where traffic normally ranges quality exceedance escalated signifi- from moderate to heavy during regular cantly to a maximum of 384 µg/Ncm. hours and heavy to very heavy during rush hours.

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This reading is approximately 58% Exceedances of ambient air quali- higher than the 24-hr average short ty were recorded at 39% for Valen- term guideline value of 180 µg/Ncm. zuela (PLV), 14% NPO-EDSA, 37% Marikina ,13% DOH-Manila, and On the average, it was only in 46% for Makati. The exceedances Ateneo and East Avenue stations are still attributed to the increase that the long term guideline value of of registered vehicles travelling 90 µg/Ncm was met with a regis- along the way and thus causing the tered annual TSP geometric mean worsening traffic scenario in the average of only 61 µg/NCM and 73 thoroughfares near the stations. µg/Ncm respectively. Ateneo regis- tered approximately 48% lower than Air samples collected monthly in the long term guideline value. these stations showed that the To- tal Suspended Particulate (TSP) East Avenue station likewise regis- were within the short term guide- tered an annual TSP geometric aver- line value of 90 microgram/ncm. age of 73 µg/Ncm which is nearly 20% lower than the standard long The disparity in the analysis of term guideline value. This is an in- samples collected on long term dication that air quality in those guideline value in contrast with the places are significantly good. short term guideline value may be influenced by many complex factors In addition, the low TSP concentra- like the transport and dispersion of tion levels in Ateneo could be attri- air pollutants in the ambient air. buted to the distance of the station Global and regional weather pat- from a main thoroughfare terns and local topographical condi- () which is ap- tions that affect the varying result proximately 500 meters away. of particulate matter collected with- Thriving flora along the periphery in the year. (Reference:US-EPA) and within Ateneo compound also serve as buffers and contribute to Health effects of air pollution are the good air quality result in the ar- influenced by the concentration and ea. Conversely, other monitoring period of exposure. This is the rea- stations did not meet the standard son why long-term guideline values annual TSP long term guideline are smaller than short-term guide- value of 90 µg/Ncm. line values.

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Fig. 4. Monthly Min and Max Concentration of TSP Per Station

It could be noted that the concentration of It can however be observed from Total Suspended Particulate collected during the above table that Total Sus- the months of March to September are rela- pended Particulate collected dur- tively of lower values than the standard ing the months of October and No- guideline value. Based from the above data, vember relatively escalated from it is believed that the improvement of air the normal short term guideline quality during those months could be at- value. This is due to the on-set of tributed to the following: the Christmas season where peo- ple find pleasure hopping from one 1. Lesser number of vehicles travel due to mall to another shopping for the lower number of students during Christmas festivities. summer. (March) 2. Dusts are flushed out through the months of May-September during wet season in the country. 3. More inclement weather which prevents people from travelling. 4. Due to mitigating factors which the DENR and other government units and private entities employ to control air pol- lution in Metro Manila.

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Fig. 5. Annual Comparative Readings of PM-10 at Different Stations It is also the peak season when there is Potential health effects of exposure to influx of vehicles from provinces. Tourists PM10 include: effects on breathing sight-seeing for heritage sites also make and respiratory systems, damage to the roads of Metro Manila busy, noisy lung tissue, cancer, and premature and smoky. death. The elderly, children, and peo- ple with chronic lung disease, influ- Particulate Matter -(PM10 ) enza, or asthma, are especially sensi- tive to the effects of particulate mat- The Regional Office likewise measures ter. Particulate Matter of 10 microns diame- ter which is more commonly called as PM10 comes from mobile area and PM10. The long term guideline value set stationary motor vehicles, wood- for PM10 is 60 mcg/cm. PM10 are smaller stoves, power plants, domestic & in- particles that are likely responsible for dustrial fuel burning activities to adverse health effects because of their name a few. Their chemical and ability to reach the lower regions of the physical compositions vary widely. respiratory tract. The PM10 standard in- cludes particles with a diameter of 10 mi- Particulate matter can be directly crometers or less (0.0004 inches or one- emitted or can be formed in the at- seventh (1/7) of the diameter of a human mosphere when gaseous pollutants hair. such as SO2 and NOx react to form fine particles. 8 NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION 2012 AIR QUALITY STATUS REPORT

From figure 5, it could also be ob- Pollutant concentrations measured served that Pasay station registered by the different equipment/analyzer the highest concentration which ex- are stored in data logger in the sta- ceeded the abovementioned guideline tion and are transmitted to the data value of 60, followed by Marikina and acquisition system central-server lo- the NPO-EDSA stations. cated at EMB–NCR, Quezon City. All Apparently, these stations are locat- stations follow the USEPA quality ed along the roadside and are ex- assurance/quality control procedures. posed to motor vehicle exhaust emis- Short term guideline value (24 hour sion. averaging time) for PM10 is 150 µg/ Ncm and 60 µg/Ncm for long term Real Time Monitoring (guideline value 1)averaging time.

In addition to the aforementioned air The data tabulated in the succeeding quality monitoring stations, EMB- table shows that the long term aver- NCR likewise operates Real Time aging time guideline value for PM10 monitoring stations in Valenzuela, exceeded only in Valenzuela station. Ateneo and NAMRIA areas. Meteor- ological conditions that can influence the behavior of air pollutants like wind speed and direction, tempera- ture, rainfall, radiation and humidity are also measured in these stations.

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Table 6. 2012 Readings Obtained by Real Time Monitoring Stations for Particulate Matter-10

STATION

VALENZUELA ATENEO NAMRIA

Range & PM2.5 PM10 PM10 PM2.5 PM2.5 PM10 month Average µg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 µg/m3 Minimum 2 X 26 21 37 X Jan Maximum 98 X 96 89 89 X Avg 47 X 49 40 57 X Minimum 34 76 33 22 23 30 Feb Maximum 54 149 68 41 32 51 Avg 43 120 43 28 29 41 Minimum 20 33 22 16 25 30 Mar Maximum 81 117 64 56 47 72 Avg 49 75 42 32 37 49 Minimum 34 36 20 16 18 27 April Maximum 66 78 53 42 35 54 Avg 59 61 32 27 24 36 Minimum 11 23 28 21 22 30 Maximum 89 126 72 59 69 81 May Avg 49 70 47 37 44 55 Minimum 10 18 22 15 16 18 June Maximum 45 66 52 41 48 42 Avg 23 39 32 23 26 29 Minimum 19 4 20 18 11 13 July Maximum 48 84 59 44 50 62 Avg 30 48 35 27 28 40 Minimum 12 12 25 16 4 17 Aug Maximum 61 67 55 41 39 70 Avg 23 25 34 23 19 31 Minimum 11 24 25 22 14 28 Sept Maximum 69 495 63 58 59 89 Avg 36 338 38 37 35 59 Minimum 23 30 27 27 23 33 Oct Maximum 79 119 52 47 74 81 Avg 45 69 37 35 51 56 Minimum 34 58 No Data No Data 21 29 Nov Maximum 90 117 No Data No Data 74 75 Avg 64 81 No Data No Data 41 56 Minimum 23 24 24 23 23 30 Dec Maximum 124 645 62 92 137 138 Avg 57 158 43 38 47 58 annual average 54.58 194 43 38 49.92 64

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Air Quality Index  “Unhealthy” AQI is 231– 349. Alt- hough general public is not likely An air quality index (AQI) is a to be affected at this AQI range, number code used by the govern- people with lung disease, older ment to communicate to the public adults and children are at a great- how polluted the air is at present or est risk from exposure to pollu- how polluted its forecast could become. tants, whereas persons with heart The purpose of the AQI is to help peo- and lung disease, older adults and ple understand what local air quality children are at greater risk from means to human health. As the AQI the presence of particles in the air. increases, an increasingly large per- centage of the population is likely to  “Very Unhealthy” AQI is 350-599. experience increasingly severe adverse Pedestrians should avoid heavy health effects. Different countries des- traffic areas. People with heart or ignate their own air quality indices respiratory disease such as asthma which not all are consistent with each should stay indoors and rest as other. Names for their indices such as much as possible. Unnecessary Air Quality Health Index, Air Pollu- trips should be postponed. People tion Index and Pollutant Standards should voluntarily restrict the use Index vary also from country to coun- of vehicles. try.  Acutely Unhealthy AQI is 600- Each category corresponds to a dif- 899.People should limit outdoor ex- ferent level of health concern. In the ertion. People with heart or or res- Philippines, the six (AQI) levels of piratory disease such as, asthma health concern and what they mean should stay indoors and rest as much as possible. Unnecessary  “Good” AQI is 0 - 80. Air quality is trips should be postponed. Motor considered satisfactory, and air pol- vehicle use may be restricted. In- lution poses little or no risk. dustrial activities may be cur- tailed.  “Fair” AQI is 81 - 230. Air Quality is acceptable; however, for some  “Emergency” AQI 900-above. Every pollutants there may be moderate one should remain indoors. Motor health concern for every small num- vehicle use should be prohibited ber of people. For example, people except for emergency situations. who are unusually sensitive to Industrial activities, except that ozone may experience respiratory which is vital for public safety and symptoms.

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% Above Short Annual Geo- Station Num- Air Pollution Index Distribution (%) Term metric ber Guideline Value Average Good Fair Unhealthy (µg/Ncm ) ( 230 ug/Ncm) 1 9 87 4 4 124 2 72 28 0 0 65 3 59 41 0 0 74 4 27 73 0 0 95 5 16 84 0 0 108 6 13 87 0 0 118 7 9 86 5 5 143 8 9 91 0 0 134 10 4 58 38 38 218

Conc. Station Air Station No. Range No. Station Station

Pollution Index Valenzuela in µg/Ncm 1 (PLV) 6 DOH-Manila Good 0 - 80 2 Ateneo 7 Mandaluyong

Fair 81 - 230 3 East Avenue 8 Makati

Unhealthy 231 - 349 4 NPO-EDSA 10 MRT-Taft

Very Unhealthy 350 - up 5 Marikina xx xxx

Table 7 - 2012 Pollution Indices Percent Distribution of TSP at Different Air Quality Monitoring Stations in NCR

The above table shows that the air pollution index in Metro Manila varies from good to unhealthy. For 2012, good air quality was observed in East Avenue and Ateneo areas whereas unhealthy indices were observed in MRT Taft Avenue area.

Under the Clean Air Act, implementation and enforcement of corrective actions contained in the index will be at the Local Government Unit level.

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% Above Short Annual ARITH- Air Pollution Index Distribution (%) Term MEtric

Station Good Fair Unhealthy Guide Line Val- Number ue Average 0-54 ug/ 55-154 ug/ 155-254 ug/ In µg/Ncm Ncm Ncm Ncm (230 ug/Ncm)

4 34 66 0 0 61

5 34 64 2 2 67

6 56 44 0 0 51

9 48 52 0 0 54

10 3 81 16 16 110

11 100 0 0 0 19

Station No. Station

4 NPO-EDSA 5 Marikina 6 DOH 9 MMDA-EDSA 10 Pasay-MRT 11 Muntinlupa

Table 8- 2012 Pollution Indices Percent Distribution of PM10 at Different Air Quality Monitoring Stations in NCR

For 2012, the annual average readings in all stations for PM10 monitoring reg- istered a “Fair” air quality index.

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Management of Stationary Sources thus the said establishments were taken out from the Universal and Monitoring/inspection of establish- Regular List of establishments reg- ments with Air Pollution Source In- istered with the Regional Office. stallations (APSI) and Air Pollution On the other hand, there are 185 Control Facilities (APCF) were inten- new establishments which were sified to determine compliance with added to the Regular List. the related provisions of Republic Act 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act For 2012, the following is the com- (CAA) of 1990. parative registry of air pollution generating establishments: For the year 2012, as a result of mon- itoring of establishments’ emission 2011 2012 and their compliance to set emission standards, the NCR Office was able Universal List 3155 3166 to process a total of 602 “Permit to Regular List 937 1,112 Operate” air pollution source instal- lations and control facility (APSI and Other Initiatives of the Regional APCF). Aside from these, there are Office still 2,119 establishments that have been issued five-year validity Per- DENR Administrative Order No. mits in the previous years. This 2011-11 issued on October 19, 2011, translates to 2,721 establishments redesignated the Metro Manila with valid “Permit to Operate”. Airshed into three separate airsheds. One of which is the Na- The Regional Office’s Air Quality tional Capital Region Airshed. Management Section has monitored 1,034 establishments and surveyed To be able to organize and opera- 103 new establishments. As a result tionalize the Governing Board for of these undertakings , 114 establish- the NCR Airshed, the Regional Of- ments were issued “Notices of Viola- fice conducted ten (10) meetings at- tion” (NOV) and 26 were invited to tended by different sectors of the technical conferences for their failure society. to meet certain requirements of the CAA. Forty-nine (49) establishments were found to have ceased operation,

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International Development Commu- Two apprehension teams were fielded nity Initiatives out by the regional office for the said purpose and were able to flag down EMB-NCR Collaborated with the 4759 vehicles suspected of emitting United Nations Industrial Develop- smoke beyond the opacity standard. ment Organization (UNIDO) in its Thirty six percent (36%) of the project on the “Application of Best flagged down vehicles were not able Available Techniques (BAT) and Best to meet the standard. Hence citation Environmental Practices (BEP) to tickets and the vehicles’ respective reduce Dioxin/Furans from industrial license plates were confiscated. Said boilers. Seven (7) establishments vehicles therefore need to meet the with industrial boilers were moni- prescribed standard before their tored and evaluated. Three of which plates would be released by the LTO were chosen as possible candidates and be able to go back to the streets. for project pilot facility. In addition to the roadside apprehen- Management of Mobile Sources sion, EMB-NCR also rendered assis- (Bantay Tambutso) tance to the LTO in monitoring the performance of the Private Emission By virtue of Deputation Orders is- Testing Centers (PETC). For the sued by the Land Transportation Of- year under review, 113 PETCs were fice, and in coordination with the Lo- subjected to spot evaluation. cal Government Units, personnel of EMB-NCR conducted road side ap- Issues and Concerns prehension of smoke belching vehi- cles in strategic areas of Metro Ma- The Clean Air Act, while realizing nila. improvements in the country’s air quality has yet to fully address a sig- nificant source of the air pollution problem: the transportation sector.

The contribution of the transport sector to the worsening air pollution requires immediate attention in as- much as mobile sources account for the bigger percentage of the pollu- Figure 6. Air Quality monitoring of mobile tants present in the air particularly sources in Metro Manila.

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The worsening traffic situation di- Recommendations rectly affects the quality of air due to increased pollutants emission. Government should either redirect policies to focus on giving incentives to The aspect of air quality monitoring those who comply with the standards and assessment likewise needs im- prior to vehicle registration or insti- provement as most of the monitoring tute stringent procedures in the emis- stations are still located in traffic sion testing of diesel fired vehicles ra- congested areas. Assessment must ther than fielding out agents to run be done not based on perception but after smoke belching vehicles on a day on scientific data generated through to day basis. monitoring and research activities. Similarly, industries who are compli- Technologies to limit pollution have ant to air pollution control policies also come into the market, and it is must be given incentives in the form of important for the government to con- tax rebates. Pollution control devices sider them to enforce standards set must also be tax free to lessen its cost under the Clean Air Act. and make it affordable to a greater number of industries. Mandatory re- Developing and educating the market quirement on the use of alternative is vital to addressing the problem of fuels (bio fuels) must be gradually im- pollution. Along with educating con- plemented. cerned sectors about clean vehicle emissions also comes the need to de- The establishment of additional auto- velop the market and gear it towards mated sampling stations, which could high-quality, energy-saving technolo- show real time results should be gies and efficient combustion. pushed through. This should also take into consideration the cost implication of the transition. The location of the sampling stations should also be re- viewed to be able to get representative samples which could be used for a very objective and scientific planning of air quality management strategies. Ade- quate budget allocation however is called for by the recommended transi- tion.

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Strengthening the concept of self- The adoption of a social mobilization monitoring. The development of mech- program where all stakeholders get to anisms to ensure the credibility of self- appreciate the importance of an effec- monitoring reports should be included tive air quality stewardship is a pre- among the priority programs of the ferred option and action. EMB. Tapping the volunteerism and vigilance Effective mechanism for air quality of civil society/NGOs will fortify efforts management requires a strategic ap- on environmental protection and air proach, one that involves the coopera- quality management, as they can be ef- tive efforts of all key players. It will fective medium for information and edu- necessitate employing a three-pronged cation campaign to raise the awareness approach involving the policies, the on environmental stewardship and air civil society/private sector, and the quality improvement. business sector. The approach should underscore Air Quality stewardship as The national government on the other a core value. Hence, there is indeed an hand should strengthen their coordina- urgency to operationalize the NCR tion efforts with the key players/ stake- Airshed Governing Board which would holders. work along with the DENR in formu- lating and implementing a comprehen- The implementation of anti-smoke sive air quality management program. belching law must be given attention. As an innovative procedure in the emis- The LGUs who should serve as Air sion testing of private vehicles prior to Quality managers shall be at the fore- registration, a team involving the three- front of a sound environmental leader- pronged component body should be es- ship. Environmental policies and laws tablished as a more stringent procedure. particularly on Air Quality should be supported by enabling resolutions and The self monitoring concept of industri- ordinances to facilitate implementation al emissions should develop a mecha- and monitoring by local governments nism involving the recommended three- even at the barangay level. pronged approach. The government agencies and civil society groups should The conduct of an effective and sus- also coordinate activities to raise aware- tained IEC on environmental laws ness about air pollution and its ultimate with emphasis on the critical role of link to climate change. This step should the LGUs as Air Quality Manager be looked into and given consideration should be a priority. among the top priority programs of EMB.

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Acknowledgement

EMB-NCR acknowledges the invaluable of effort people who devoted their time, knowledge and skills effort in order to create this report, without these people it would be impossible to finish such report. Engr. Vizminda A. Osorio - OIC, Regional Director

Engr. Florence V. Velasquez - OIC, Chief - PPMISSD

Engr. Jacinto S. Orcullo - OIC, Chief - PCD

Engr. Emmanuel Gutierrez - OIC, Chief - AAQMS

Engr. Dolores Velasquez - OIC, Chief - AQMS

Ms. Janet L. Abijero - OIC, Chief - MIS

- EEIS - Staff Ms. Anieflof S. Ullero

Engr. Jovel Rogando - AAQMS - Staff

Mr. Christian V. Claudio - MIS - Data Controller I

Mr. Mikko Caniezo - MIS - I.T. Specialist

This Office would also want to acknowledge the contribution of all EMB-NCR employees who in one way or another extended help in the preparation of this report.

Above all, The Almighty, without His omnipotent intervention nothing would have been possibly accomplished.

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PCD, EMB-NCR, 2012 Ambient Air Monitoring Report