To enforce the anti-smoke belching campaign in Davao, the Land Transportation Office XI (LTO-XI) continues to conduct roadside inspections and has already caught several violators.
The office has already apprehended 164 drivers in Davao City from JanuaryâNovember of this year for violating the Clean Air Act for smoke belching.
âBased on our data, from JanuaryâNovember we have already apprehended 164 drivers that violated the Clean Air Act,â LTO-XI adjudicator, Mr. Michael Yarra, said during the ISpeak Media Forum on Thursday.
Yarra also said that once the driver has been apprehended for smoke belching, they are required to submit a passing emission test result and undergo a seminar for air pollution control. However, the office is still coordinating with the DENR for available air pollution seminars for drivers.
âKana siya, we are still on-going sa pag-communicate ana sa DENR, kung naa paây kailangan i-convene para mapasa ana nga regulation sa DENR (With regards to that, we are still communicating with DENR if we still need to convene to pass this regulation),â he stated.
Penalties for smoke belching include a fine not exceeding Php 2000 for the first offense; a fine not exceeding Php 4000 for the second; and one (1) year suspension of the Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) and a fine of no more than Php 6000 for the third offense.
Aside from roadside inspections, the registration of vehicles is one of their efforts in reinforcing the anti-smoke belching campaign given that vehicles need to undergo emission tests and be emission compliant.
Yarra also shared that some of the common reasons for failed emission tests include the vehicle-ownerâs inability to maintain the condition of their vehicles, and if the pipes are not cleaned.
The LTO-XI reminds drivers to abide by the traffic rules and regulations to maintain road safety. CIO
