Republic Act No. 8749

Republic Act No. 8749

An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Air Act Pollution Control Policy and for Other Purposes

From the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe, it might contain toxic substances that may cause sickness or even death. This is applied not only to us human but also to all the living organisms as a whole.

In order to sustain a safe global environment, and as we pursue on cleaning our habitat, which is everybody’s concern, Republic Act 8749 also known as the Clean Air Act of 1999 was created and has been effective since the year 2000. This R.A 8749 follows the policy in the hope to protect the right of the people to a balanced and healthy ecology given that as the years pass by, it is very noticeable how our environment has changed because of different factors that we ourselves has contributed to its distraction.

Air pollution is rampant not only in our country and is not just our own problem but also the whole world. Air pollutants as defined in this Act is the presence of other toxic gases other than the natural and inert gases present in the atmosphere. With its definition alone, it cannot be denied that seriously, we are having this common problem today.

Given those provisions stated in this Act, see how effective this has become and how well it was implemented in support to provide clean air or even to reduce this problem.

Technically, it was clearly stated in Section 11 that through research and extensions, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources must in a way provide information regarding the latest technique and measures in reducing air pollution, latest standard allowed emissions, and alternative sources of fuel which are environment-friendly. As of 2010, almost 6.6 million cars were registered at the Land Transportation Office-Philippines, and almost all of these uses fuel that emits carbon monoxide and other toxic gases in the atmosphere. Imagine one car emits 1 kg of toxic gas per day, given 4 million of cars operate that day alone, product could be 4 million kg of toxic gas is produced, 28 million in one week, and not to calculate how much it is in one month. It is chaos, it’s frustrating, but it is the truth.

Alternative sources of fuel are one of the best solutions to attest this problem but consequently, it could take time and further research in order to fully implement it. However, as a response, some regions in the country encourages people to use electric-operated vehicles to help lessen smoke belching that would sabotage every one’s right to a clean air. Furthermore, another choice is to carefully consider the type of engine available in the market today which has properties that would somehow contribute in decreasing the emission problem or might help attain the standard tolerable toxic gases released during the combustion process. These options of course are with the coordination of the government as their answer regarding this air pollution problem.