Mayor elated over declining number of smoke belchers

By Jason B. Neola NAGA CITY --- The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (City ENRO) saw a substantial decline in the number of public utility vehicles that were issued citation tickets last week during random roadside vehicle emission inspections conducted by the city’s Anti-Smoke Belching Unit (ASBU). Alexander N. Caning, head of the City ENRO, said the decreasing number of smoke belching automobiles was observed after ASBU checked its record that covered the months of April to September, this year. Inspections and tests conducted during the months earlier than April showed higher turnout of smoke belching automobiles that ranged from 50-60%. The ASBU conducts inspection by setting up checkpoints along Maharlika Highway in Barangay Concepcion Grande and in Barangay Bagumbayan Norte, here. Jayson T. Vargas, City ENRO’s pollution control officer and officer in charge of pollution control and management division, said that this year’s September 27 and 28 roadside inspections revealed that of 63 flagged down vehicles, 9 units or 14.28% did not make it in the opacimeter. ASBU reported that in the month of April, there were only 30 vehicles that failed the test, 11 in July and 38 in August. Mayor John Bongat said the reason behind the consistent conduct of roadside inspection by the city government is not primarily aimed at generating income but to compel the motorists to comply with the Clean Air Act. “We should be happier if we got a lower number of violators as this would mean we have a lesser number of contributors to air pollution,” he said.