(The Philippine Star)
Traffic
in Metro Manila is usually the heaviest on Fridays and weekends
especially now with the approaching holiday season as people from the
provinces start trooping to Metro Manila to shop for Christmas gifts.
For sure, this will be exacerbated by the spike in the number of
arriving balikbayans who are not only spending the holidays here, but
also to wait for the arrival of Pope Francis in January next year.
Exhaust from idling vehicles stuck in traffic make it difficult to
breathe, and the condition is made worse by the cool weather since the
dense air cannot circulate upward – trapping carbon particles that make
the ground level atmosphere thick and heavy with pollutants. Respiratory
ailments have increased by 30 percent since last year, according to
records from Metro Manila hospitals.
We received photos taken on Saturday morning and yesterday at noon,
and as one can readily see the pollution has become worse than ever –
with a grayish shadow covering the metropolis like an ominous shroud.
The air quality has become so bad that a multisector group calling
itself the Coalition of Clean Air Advocates (Philippines), composed of
health professionals, business leaders, the religious sector and civil
society organizations came out with a full page ad in the Sunday edition
of this paper, making an urgent appeal for the president to fully
implement Republic Act 8749, otherwise known as the Clean Air Act of
1999.
Citing data from the DENR, the group stressed that the air quality in
Metro Manila and other urban centers has reached internationally
unacceptable levels that pose a “clear and present danger to human
health.” Data shows that 80 percent of air pollution is caused by motor
vehicle emissions, yet a lot of carbon-spewing vehicles still manage to
pass the mandatory emission test prior to registration – due to the
unfortunate practice of “non-appearance” that some corrupt DOTC-LTO
employees have allowed to proliferate.
It’s been 15 years since the passage of the Clean Air Act law yet to
this day, it hasn’t really done much to combat pollution or improve air
quality. Corruption in both the public and private sector has been
identified by the Clean Air advocacy group as critical in the
implementation of the Clean Air Act, and among their proposals is to
impose stiffer penalties for those that take part in “non-appearance”
testing plus the automation of emission testing protocols – which might
entail changes in DENR specifications with regard to equipment and test
data gathering.
The group is also advocating the development of more mass transport
system and the designation of more bicycle and pedestrian-friendly lanes
to lessen he use of motor vehicles when commuting, and the
introduction/commercialization of clean fuels or other fuels that will
lessen carbon and particulate emission. While Metro Manila is not in
The Blacksmith Institute and Green Cross Switzerland’s list of the 10
most polluted cities in 2013, an expert from the World Health
Organization told us we will soon have the dubious honor of joining that
list if the quality of air continues to deteriorate. Clearly, we all
have to do our part in improving the air quality in Metro Manila.
SM Prime(s) up for solar energy use
The use of renewable energy like solar is now a major factor being
considered by planners and designers who advocate “clean cities,” saying
that electricity from coal and fossil fuel account for much of the
carbon dioxide emissions that are responsible for pollution. In Germany
for instance, the government has passed legislation encouraging the use
of solar energy by providing incentives for homes that invest in solar
or wind energy to generate their own electricity. This has resulted in a
major shift towards solar energy that has not only resulted in lesser
electric consumption but has contributed in reducing pollution.
In the Philippines, retail and property giant SM Prime Holdings has
marked another milestone in its commitment to achieve sustainability in
its operations as seen in the activation of the solar powered rooftop at
its SM City North Edsa Mall. SM Prime president Hans Sy led the
switch-on ceremony yesterday with President Noynoy Aquino as guest of
honor, with the event witnessed by environment champion Loren Legarda,
Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, DENR Secretary Mon Paje and Speaker
Sonny Belmonte.
SM Prime worked closely with Solar Philippines to put up over 5,700
solar panels that have the capacity to generate up to 1.5 megawatts (MW)
of energy – enough to power 1,000 homes or charge over 200,000 cellular
phones. The power generated by the solar panels could offset 1,200 tons
of carbon dioxide – almost like planting 6,000 trees per year. The
solar panels installed at the rooftop can power up the lighting fixtures
and elevators at the mall.
Time and time again, the SM Group has displayed its commitment in
making its operations sustainable and environment friendly especially
now that the country faces a power shortage next year. With the solar
rooftop project, the mall developer has shown it walks the talk – doing
what it can to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimizing the
consumption of electricity. Hopefully, other groups will also follow
suit not only to make business sustainable but to help ensure a cleaner,
greener environment for the future.
