New Philippines environment chief seen likely to crack-down on smoke-belching diesels. . Secretary Elisea Gozun

Diesel Fuel News, Feb 3, 2003

According to a report from Asia Times last week, the new Dept. of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Elisea Gozun aims to push forward with full implementation of the 1999 Clean Air Act. A recent World Bank report cited smoke-belching vehicles as a huge and growing health threat, bringing huge public-health costs to metro Manila.

The first crackdown target will be diesel public utility vehicles, the report said. Buses, trucks, jeepneys, taxis and motorized tricycles account for most of the urban pollution, the report said. Emissions testing fees have been reduced to encourage compliance, and a cell-phone network is reporting "smoker" vehicles now. But there's need for more testing centers and equipment, along with administrative oversight to minimize corruption, the report said. However, local oil refiners contend that investment costs for cleaner fuels are hard to justify.