Enforce the Clean Air Act

WHAT is the Clean Air Act all about? The mere title alone should be clear enough that it is to promote if not ensure that we, human beings, should be breathing clean air through measures and acts as embodied in this law.

I suppose smoke-belching vehicles contribute to our air pollution. I believe to go after these smoke-belching vehicles is part of this law. So why is it that nothing seems to be being done against these vehicles? Which government agencies are tasked to do this? Is it the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (Clenro) or Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA)? Or any citizen through citizen’s arrest?
I have witnessed many times vehicles that emitted black and thick smoke. I pity the people that were made to inhale them. Whoever is responsible, please do? Pronto!
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I am afraid to die in a vehicular accident. But sometimes, it’s just too much to watch vehicles counterflow at the Maharlika Bridge. So they were in a hurry. But who isn’t? Being in a hurry is no excuse for this violation. Otherwise, let’s get rid of all traffic rules and regulations.

This morning, while on my way home, I encountered several vehicles (mostly taxis, delivery vans and private cars). I met them head on without moving until they got back on their proper lane.

I am asking Hapsay chair Egay Uy to act on this. I am also asking Supt. Dominador Estrada, the city police’s traffic director, to conduct operations against this abuse.
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A businessman from the Cogon area is challenging our mayor and city treasurer to publish the Balance Sheet and Income Statement of the city in the name of transparency.

I bet this is like asking for the moon. Transparency is the least of this administration’s concerns. Beside, this is the job of our city accountant who happens to be quite controversial amid various accusations against her person.

Cagayanons love to talk but don’t act. That is why our officials get away with alleged shenanigans. Our demands are only at the tip of our tongues and are not complemented with actions. In general, this is why corruption still thrives.
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The Chinese has this admonition: “Be pious in your belief but do not be a fanatic.”

The recent actions of some Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) followers seemed to border on fanaticism. Some may not even know why and what they were there. But politicians who need their votes play footsies with them by condoning their act which, to me, is a clear violation of the separation of Church and State.

If they can do it, we have more like the INC. Who can prevent them from doing the same? The event tells us that some of our politicians have no balls at all. I guess it’s time to tax religious groups instead of the poor. Are we blind to the magnitude and grandiose of the houses of God?