THE LAND Transportation Office (LTO) XI has apprehended 164 drivers in Davao City this year for violating the Clean Air Act, specifically for smoke belching.
The LTO XI continues to conduct roadside inspections as part of the anti-smoke belching campaign in Davao.
“Based on our data, from January to November, we have already apprehended 164 drivers that violated the Clean Air Act,” LTO XI adjudicator Michael Yarra said during the iSpeak forum on Thursday.
Once the driver is apprehended for smoke belching, he must submit documents proving that the vehicle passed the emission test or that he finished a seminar on air pollution control.
However, the office is still coordinating with the DENR for available air pollution seminars for drivers.
“We are still ongoing sa pag-communicate ana sa DENR kung naa pa’y kailangan i-convene para mapasa ana nga regulation sa DENR (We are still communicating with DENR if we still need to convene to pass this regulation),” he stated.
Penalties for smoke belching include a fine not exceeding P2,000 for the first offense; a fine not exceeding P4,000 for the second; and one-year suspension of the Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) and a fine of no more than P6,000 for the third offense.
Yarra said the emission test is a good deterrent for vehicles that emit harmful chemicals beyond safety standards. Some common reasons for failed emission tests include the vehicle owner’s inability to maintain the condition of their vehicles or unclean pipes.
The LTO XI reminds drivers to abide by the traffic rules and regulations to maintain road safety.
