The chairman of Clean Air Philippines Movement, Inc. (CAPMI) lauded Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio for steering the city as the country’s ‘Clean Air Champion’ despite progress and urbanization.
“The Mayor has shown that it is not impossible to enjoy clean air in a major city,” said CAPMI chair Michael Aragon during the kick-off activity of the
She said Davao City enjoys clean and safe air because its mayorchampions the environment.
“She initiated and implemented crucial and sustainable programs pursuant to various provision of Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act of 1999,” said Aragon on his speech at the NCCC mall Davao on November 6, Monday.
Aragon said that it takes political will to fight air pollution and Davao City has safety nets against pollution and future threats of air pollution.
CAMPI conducted a nationwide survey on Ambient Air Quality of urban centers in the country. Its findings showed that Davao City has only 40 to 80 micro gram per cubic meter air pollutants which makes Davao city a clean air city.
“This is way below to the normal range of 150 micro grams per cubic meter,” said Duterte-Carpio in her speech.
Despite the award the mayor reminded the people that they should not be complacent for this number can be lowered.
“We Davaoeños should be accountable to protect and preserve the air we feel and the air we breathe,” said Duterte-Carpio
She said that this would not have been possible without the local laws that support the Philippine Clean Air Act such as the Solid Waste Management Ordinance, the Fire cracker Ban, the Anti- smoking ordinance and the Anti- smoke belching ordinance which were initiated by the former mayor now President Rodrigo RoaDuterte.
She said that the membership with the Air shed Governing Board allows them to interface local stake holders and development partners in safeguarding the air quality of the city.
She also congratulated the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of the Environment Natural Resources region XI and Davao City Air shed Governing Board for organizing various activities lined up the celebration of the Philippine Clean Air Month.
The sapling used to symbolize the declaration will be transferred at People’s Park .
She said she wanted to see improvements on the cleanliness of the coastal beaches in Davao City in the next six months. This in line with the BantayDagatprogram which was launched October 21, mandating the first and third Saturday of the month as a time for coastal clean-up.
She also invited the CAMPI to be part of this program. (Contributor)
