Environmental groups denounced Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje today for deceiving the public on the state of air pollution in Metro Manila. The Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) said that Metro Manila continues to experience worsening urban pollution, belying government claims that air quality in Metropolis is improving.
The DENR Secretary announced yesterday that the average level of air pollution in the Metropolis has declined by 21% percent overall since the start of the year. He said both the amount of total suspended particulates (TSP) and the level of particulate matter 10 microns in diameter or smaller (PM10) had decreased from 135ug/Ncm (micrograms per normal cubic meter) and 94µg/Ncm in the first quarter to 106ug/Ncm and 77µg/Ncm in the third quarter of this year, respectively.
"DENR Sec. Paje is misleading the residents of Metro Manila when he said that air quality is improving because of government anti-pollution policies and projects. The decrease in air pollution in during July to September is just normal. This is the peak of rainy season where air quality in Metro Manila is better than other seasons of the year," explained Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of Kalikasan PNE.
During the rainy season, dusts and other particulate matter in the air are flushed out and normally decrease during the wet season months of May to September in the country.
"If you look at the previous air quality reports of DENR's Environment and Management Bureau (EMB) and DENR this trend can be observed. There is no grain of truth in the claim that air pollution in Metro Manila is decreasing because of government interventions, in reality it is otherwise," Bautista asserted.
"How can the air pollution in Metro Manila improve when motor vehicles plying the area continue to rise in numbers? We believe air pollution in the Metropolis is worsening because of increasing pollutant emissions coming from motor vehicles and the proliferation of construction of high rise buildings. Moreover, the government budget for controlling and managing air and solid pollution in the country is still significantly inadequate. This is further aggravated by corrupt and inept government officials that allow pollutive sources and activities in Metro Manila to thrive and escalate," Bautista pointed out.
Motor vehicles are the number one source of air pollution in Metro Manila. According to the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Metro Manila has more than 30% (1.2 million) of all vehicles registered in the country in 2001. For the period 1981 to 2001, car registrations have been increasing at an average rate of 4.4% annually. This trend continues as car ownership has increased dramatically in Metro Manila in recent years.
"In fact, the data given by the EMB and DENR is still classified as 'poor quality' based on global standards set by international institutions. It is no wonder that Metro Manila residents have highest record of morbidity in terms of respiratory infection and diseases in the country. This is because of the worsening air pollution in urban areas," said Bautista.
In the 2006 Philippine Environment Monitor, cited that respiratory diseases from air pollution cost the country PHP910 million in health costs. Dr. Tony Dans of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine said that it is air pollution which caused 60 percent of the lung cancer cases in Metro Manila.
"The Secretary must be kicked out of DENR if not reprimanded by manipulating air pollution data to make it look like Metro Manila is getting better because of government initiatives. On the other hand, air pollution will continue to rise in Metro Manila and other urban areas as long as government remains short-sighted in addressing the issue through palliative measures. Air pollution and environmental degradation in Metro Manila is just a manifestation of decaying urban ecology in the Philippines," ended Bautista.###
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CLEMENTE BAUTISTA
National Coordinator
Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment (Kalikasan-PNE)
No.26 Matulungin St. Bgy. Central, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines 1100
Tel. No. +63-2-9248756 Fax No. +63-2-9209099
Email: kalikasan.pne@gmail.com
Website: www.kalikasan.net
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