The quality of the air in Metro Manila, Philippines is improving but is, sadly, still below the standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), as revealed by an air survey conducted just recently.
In fairness to the efforts extended by the local government unit of the cities in the metropolitan Manila, the quality of air covering the area has improved from 2004 to 2007. In 2004, the average concentration of pollutants was at 160 micrograms, which lowered to 154 micrograms in 2005, then to142 micrograms in 2006 and finally down to132 micrograms in 2007. However, the average concentration o pollutants in air climbed up again in 2008.
The air quality of the Philippine's national capital in 2008 was at an average of 138 micrograms of pollutants per normal cubic meter, According to the Total Suspended Air Particulates (TSP) Air Quality survey, a result that is far above the standard 90 micrograms per normal cubic meter as set by DENR. Main air Polluting compounds are sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO).
DENR set up nine monitoring stations in conducting the survey, including stations in Makati City, East Avenue and the Manila Observatory on Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City, Mandaluyong City, Pasig City and the Department of Health office.
Among the streets of the metropolis, the dirtiest is Edsa boulevard, with a record of 282 micrograms, follwed by the Valenzuela City area with 156 micrograms. Seating in the third place of the dirtiest area in the capital is the National Printing Office area in Quezon City with 144 micrograms.
On the national level, the air quality improved from 2004 to 2008, but the concentration levels are also still beyond the standard. Survey results revealed 139.2 micrograms of pollutants in every normal cubic meter of air in 2004, which reduced to127.4 micrograms in 2005, then to 110.5 micrograms in 2006 and 103 micrograms in 2007 . In 2008, results determined 99.1 micrograms , the first time the concentration level dropped to double digits since the survey started.
The assistant director of the DENR's Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) ,Jonas Leones, said the rise could be caused by an increase in the number of motor vehicles traversing the area and the rise of construction sites.
Leones further said that we have to support nature's way of cleansing air by reducing fume exhausts from machines. He stressed out the fact that the country has enough laws to protect the air quality, however, we lack the political will to enforce them, "especially at the local level."
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