50 schools say 'no' to smoke belchers as RP celebrates Clean Air Month

By Katherine Adraneda, The Philippine Star

At least 50 universities, colleges, and schools nationwide will start preventing smoke-belching vehicles from entering their campuses on Nov. 24 in solidarity with the national celebration of Clean Air Month.

"The gesture is their way of responding to the government’s call for every sector of society to act together in improving the air quality throughout the country," Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Michael Defensor.

The activity is part of the DENR’s "Bantay Tambutso sa Eskwela" campaign under the "Linis Hangin" program. The two other components are "Bantay Tsimneya," which focuses on industrial sources of air pollution and "Bantay Sunog Basura," which seeks to address other sources such as open burning of garbage.

Included in the list of pro-clean air schools are Rizal Technological University; Far Eastern University; Trinity College, Philippine Women’s University; Philippine State College of Aeronautics; University of the Philippines in Diliman and Baguio, University of Sto. Tomas; Centro Escolar University; De La Salle University; Sta. Catalina College; Philippine Maritime Institute; PMMS Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology; Sta. Rita College, Ateneo de Manila University; Mirriam College; Technological University of the Philippines in Diliman and Baguio; Cavite State University; Batangas State University; University of Perpetual Help System; Casa del Niño School in Laguna; Joseph and Mary Academy; Colegio San Agustin, Pacita National High School; Sampaguita National High School, Sisters of Mary Immaculate; Immaculate Heart of Mary School; Catholic School of Pacita, Mater Ecclessias School; Holy Rosary Academy; Amazing Grace School; San Lorenzo School; San Geronimo Emiliani School; St. Louis Anne Colleges; St. Therese of the Child Jesus; Evangel Christian Academy; Palawan State University; St. Louis University in Baguio City; Benguet State University;

Northwestern University in Laoag; St. Mary’s University in Nueva Vizcaya; Isabela State University; Central Luzon State University in Nueva Ecija; Camarines Sur State Agricultural College; Bicol University; West Visayas State University in Iloilo; University of Cebu; University of San Jose Recoletos in Cebu City; Eastyern Visayas State University in Leyte; and University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City.

The DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), in cooperation with the Metro Manila Air Quality Improvement Sector Development Program and the USAid-assisted Energy and Clean Air Development Program, is also preparing the groundwork for heightened networking and advocacies among academic administrators, teachers, student leaders and motor pools of selected schools for the coordinated pursuit toward cleaner air.

Various fora on the Clean Air Act, directives for vehicular sources of air pollution, preventive maintenance of vehicles for cleaner air and cost savings, building smoke-belching free campuses, and the roles and commitments of school sectors are likewise being conducted.

The DENR said vehicular pollution remains the biggest cause of air degradation in major urban areas of the country.