The air quality in Makati City has improved within the span of four years, according to its top official.

Citing the recent results of regular ambient air quality monitoring conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to measure the average level of total suspended particles (TSP) in the city’s monitoring stations, Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. noted that the amount of pollutants in the air had gone down since 2006.

“With an average reading of 124 microgram per normal cubic meter (ug/Ncm) in the first six months of the year, air quality in the city has improved as indicated by a significant reduction of 32 ug/Ncm from its average TSP level of 156 ug/Ncm recorded in the same period in 2006,” he said in a statement.

He attributed the decrease to the city government’s continuous efforts to implement national and local anti-pollution regulations.

Tangible improvement

“The relentless efforts of the city government to combat air pollution for many years now have achieved tangible improvement in the quality of air we breathe in Makati,” Binay said.

He said the city government has consistently promoted strict adherence to the Clean Air Act of 1999 and the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, adding that the enactment of the city’s own Emission Control Code and Revised Anti-Smoking Ordinance has “given more teeth” to the enforcement of national laws.

Binay also acknowledged “strong multi-sectoral participation” as the key to the continuing success of the city’s advocacy for clean air, as well as its other advocacies toward a truly healthy and safe environment for stakeholders.

Strong partnership

“Our various environmental initiatives, including those aimed at cleaner air, have made much headway because of the strong partnership we have established and sustained over the years with all concerned sectors, including the residents, the business community, visitors and other stakeholders,” he said.

The mayor said his administration intends to sustain existing environmental initiatives such as the campaign against smoke-belching vehicles and smoking in public places and public transport, and the promotion of smokeless alternative means of transport like the electric jeepneys or e-jeeps.

“The problem of air pollution is one of the toughest challenges we face, given the sheer volume of vehicles plying the city’s thoroughfares every day. But as recent developments show, we are definitely making progress,” Binay said.