“Bantay Tambutso” Project Implementation for Reducing Air Pollution: The DMMMSU-NLUC, Philippines Experience

Abstract

Air pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems resulting from rapid industrialisation and increasing number of vehicles. To reduce air pollution in the school premises, the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-North La Union Campus (DMMMSU-NLUC) adopted the “Bantay Tambutso” Project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). This promotes massive awareness to curb air pollution from vehicle emissions. This project is implemented through field testing with the technical personnel from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the extension workers. This project was carried out through the conduct of random stationary emission testing of the public, private and government vehicles in the school campus. This conduct aimed to check whether drivers and owners of motor vehicles are exercising proper and regular engine tune-up to prevent smoke belching and to check the compliance with the standards set forth under the Clean Air Act. Based on the random emission testing conducted, only 4 % and 7 % of the gasoline-fueled and diesel-fueled vehicles, failed the emission standards. Those who failed were suspended in using their vehicles until their vehicles compliance with the emission standards. This project was supplemented by other school programs to reduce or prevent air pollution in the school premises.