Smoke Belching Is Not Getting The Attention It Deserves

Image culled from Top Gear Philippines

Manny Pacquiao, traffic and presidential bets -- these are the things that the Philippine media is talking about nowadays. Do not get me wrong, they are news worthy, but I feel as if they are overlooking something that is just as important.

Whenever the Metro Rail Transit breaks down, it makes the news.

Whenever someone says traffic in Metro Manila is so bad, it makes the news even though everyone knows it.

Whenever a vehicular accident results into major injuries or death, it makes the news.

Heck, even scumbag taxi drivers make the news.

How come I am not hearing anything about smoke belching in Metro Manila these days? After all, it is just as inconvenient as the MRT not being operational because smoke does not smell good and too much of it can affect the visibility of our roads. It also appears to be a permanent fixture in the National Capital Region, just like the terrible traffic. In addition, it certainly leads to health problems and death. And well, a good number of reckless drivers are guilty of driving death machines that emit toxic fumes.

So again I ask, why is it not getting a lot of attention?

I could be wrong, but I just do not see local news outlets or major websites in the Philippines talking about this issue. The closest we can probably get is Top Gear Philippines' Facebook page, and even there, reports related to the matter will always be overshadowed by photos or videos of jackasses violating traffic laws, scalawags in uniform or idiots operating modes of public transportation.

You would think that after President Benigno Aquino III gave traffic management duties to the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group, the Metro Manila Development Authority will have more time on its hands to effectively enforce traffic laws on other major roads in Metro Manila. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Not only are most people disappointed by its overall performance, the MMDA also does not apprehend smoke belchers. You can fault me for the lack of photographic evidence, or as the saying on the Internet goes, "Pics or it didn't happen", but in my experience, I never fail to see smoke belchers along EDSA, 15th Avenue, Elliptical Road, Kalayaan Avenue and Visayas Avenue in Quezon City every time I go to work.

Now, I know what some of you are thinking. It is not the MMDA's job to catch people driving vehicles that produce black clouds of harmful chemicals. That responsibility belongs to the Land Transportation Office. Well, guess what. Not only do I usually see MMDA enforcers along the intersection of P. Tuazon and 15th Avenue, but it also happens that there is an LTO branch office of sorts in the area, yet public utility jeepneys and tricycles emitting toxic fumes go unpunished. Besides, even if it is not the MMDA's job, shouldn't they do something about it? Just because it is not their job to catch smoke belchers does not mean they are not at risk from the respiratory diseases that come with exposure to smoke. Besides, back in 2001, the MMDA was leading the charge against smoke-belching. Cannot they do that again?

As for the LTO, it has admitted that it lacks the manpower to go after smoke belchers and went as far as seeking assistance from the public in catching these inconsiderate bastards. The aforementioned government agency has already requested people to take pictures or videos of smoke belchers in action. So, not only is it disappointing us with the delayed issuance of license plates and the fact that smoke producing death machines are roaming the streets, even though vehicles are required to undergo strict smoke emissions tests before being allowed to hit the road, it is also asking us -- taxpayers who are paying for the salaries of its employees -- to help it do its job and clean up its mess. Sheesh!

Now, I got no problem doing something in the service of our region, and ultimately, our country. Patriotism aside, I know I would benefit from having less air polluters driving around the Metro. However, reporting smoke belchers to the LTO is not as easy as it sounds. For someone like me who heavily relies on public transportation to get around NCR, taking my phone out to capture images of smoke belchers while on board a jeepney attracts unwanted attention from snatchers and thieves. You also have to be prepared for the uncomfortable stares and questions from strangers who think you are trying to make the next big thing in Internet memes at their expense.

I am going to be honest, the abovementioned reasons may sound lame to others but they were enough to prevent me from sending the LTO emails regarding the numerous smoke belchers I encountered on my way to work everyday. However, that did not stop me from calling LTO (Tel. nos. 922-9061 to 66 and 928-9440) on several occasions, but unfortunately, not once was I able to speak with concerned parties. I even tried reporting these smoke belchers to the MMDA (Hotline: 136) and the Quezon City Traffic Operations Division (Tel. no. 924-18-44), but both offices told me that it is the LTO's job to receive reports and complaints related to smoke belching.

If the LTO is really serious about making sure that Metro Manila will not share China's fate in terms of air pollution, then why can't it just give the MMDA, PNP and local traffic authorities the power to apprehend smoke belchers? Aside from addressing its manpower problem, having uniformed personnel apprehend and issue tickets to smoke belchers yields quicker results compared to reporting them to the LTO and waiting for something to happen. This idea has been implemented before so I don't see anything wrong with doing it again, especially if it will result into the improvement of the air quality in Metro Manila.

In addition, I think it's high time the LTO makes vehicles undergo more tests and tweak the requirements for vehicle owners and operators to ensure that cars, jeepneys, buses and other forms of motorized land transportation do not turn into death machines when hitting the road.

Lastly, launching a public service announcement will definitely reinforce the LTO's seriousness about its campaign against smoke belching. If memory serves me right, there used to be a PSA that showed a young girl getting smoke from a muffler all over her face. Should there be PSAs like this airing on Philippine TV, smoke belchers will be reminded of the damage they are doing to the environment and the people around them, including their loved ones.

Until the LTO or some other government agency comes up with a solid solution to the smoke belching problem in Metro Manila, we will just have to wear those face masks that are starting to become more of a necessity rather than a trend.