RA 8749 - Clean Air Act

WHAT IS THE CLEAN AIR ACT?

Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Air Act, is a comprehensive air quality management policy and program which aims to achieve and maintain healthy air for all Filipinos.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP CLEAN THE AIR?

For vehicle owners/motorist: 

• Maintain your vehicle by changing oil regularly (every 5,000 kilometers).
• Keep the engine well-tuned following the owner’s manual.
• Keep tires properly inflated.
• Plan trips and observe proper driving habits.
• Remove unnecessary things from the trunk. Don’t overload and travel only at speed required by traffic regulations and road conditions.

For commuters:

• Try talking to the jeep/bus/tricycle driver about the high health risks of poor vehicle maintenance and improper driving practices.
• Patronize mass railway transit (i.e., MRT, LRT)

For office workers:

• Reduce use of air conditioning and ensure that rooms are sealed.
• Make sure that lights are energy-efficient.
• Use company vehicles wisely and make sure that they are well-maintained.
• Use natural lighting by opening window curtains at daytime.

At home:

• Use low watt bulbs or energy-saving lights.
• Limit the use of air conditioning units and keep the temperature a few degrees higher.
• Don’t burn garbage.
• Avoid using aerosols.
• Properly dispose of refrigerant, refrigeration equipment, and used coolant.

For everyone:

• Talk to people on what they can do about air pollution.
• Report smoke-belchers to LTO, MMDA, and/or the appropriate local government units.
• Walk or ride your bike to places.
• Take the bus or mass rail transit whenever you can.
• Work with residential associations to stop burning of garbage.
• Plant trees.
• Spread the word about the ban on smoking in public places.

WHAT WILL BE DONE TO POLLUTING INDUSTRIES?

A fine of not more than P100,000 for every day of violation shall be charged against the owner of a stationary source, until such time that standards have been met.

For gross violation, the penalty is imprisonment of not less than six years but not more than 10 years upon the discretion of the court. At the same time, the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB) could close the firm through the issuance of a Cease and Desist Order.

 There is gross violation of the law or its rules when any of the following occurs:

1. Three or more specific offenses within a period of one year.
2. Three or more offenses within three consecutive years.
3. Blatant disregard of the orders of the PAB, such as, but not limited to the breaking of seals, padlocks and other similar devices, or operating despite the existence of an order for closure, discontinuance or cessation of operation.
4. Irreparable or grave damage to the environment as a consequence of any violation or omission of the provisions of the Act or its IRR.

Lifted from: Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (2003, August). Primer on the Clean Air Act. Diliman: DENR-Public Affairs Office.