What is the Clean Air Act?

• The Clean Air Act is a national law that was passed in June 1999.

• Its main goal is to protect and preserve the air we breathe.

• It aims to prevent air pollution from vehicles, factories, power plants, and even from burning garbage.

• The law promotes the right of every Filipino to live in a healthy environment — meaning clean air for all.

Why Was the Clean Air Act Needed?

Before the law:

• Metro Manila and other cities were experiencing heavy smog and dirty air.

• Smoke from jeepneys, buses, trucks, cars, and factories was making people sick — asthma, lung diseases, eye irritation, and allergies were becoming common.

• The World Bank even said that pollution in the Philippines was among the worst in Asia during the 1990s.

The Clean Air Act was created to stop this problem and save people's health.

Main Parts of the Clean Air Act 

1. Regulating Vehicle Emissions

• All vehicles must pass an Emission Test every year before registration.

• Vehicles emitting thick, dark smoke ("smoke belching") can be fined and impounded.

• Public utility vehicles (like buses and jeepneys) are strictly monitored.

• Older diesel engines are encouraged to upgrade to cleaner technologies.

2. Industrial Pollution Control

• Factories, power plants, and other big businesses must install pollution control devices (like scrubbers and filters) on their smokestacks.

• They must apply for permits to operate and follow specific air quality standards.

3. Ban on Incineration

• Burning garbage (incineration) is banned because it releases toxic gases.

• This pushed cities to focus on recycling, composting, and waste segregation instead.

4. Fuel Quality Improvement

• Only unleaded gasoline is allowed (leaded fuels were banned).

• Diesel fuel must have lower sulfur content to make it cleaner.

• Promotion of cleaner alternative fuels like LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), CNG (compressed natural gas), biofuels, hybrids, and electric vehicles.

5. Air Quality Monitoring

• The government must set up air quality monitoring stations in cities and industrial areas.

• Air quality levels (like PM2.5, PM10, CO2, SO2) must be measured and made public.

• Ambient Air Quality Standards were created to guide pollution levels.

6. Zoning

• Dirty industries must be located far from residential and school areas.

• Cities must plan "clean zones" and "industrial zones" to separate pollution sources from people.

Who Enforces the Clean Air Act? 

• DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) Main agency. Sets air standards. Issues permits to factories. Monitors pollution.

• Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Special division under DENR. Handles technical and enforcement work.

• LTO (Land Transportation Office) Enforces vehicle emission standards during registration.

• LGUs (Local Government Units) Must create their own clean air programs (like no smoke belching campaigns).

• DOE (Department of Energy) Sets clean fuel standards.

• DOTr (Department of Transportation) Promotes clean public transport (like E-jeepneys, cleaner buses).

Penalties Under the Clean Air Act

Violation Penalty

Smoke belching (first offense) Fine up to ₱2,000, plus mandatory emission test.

Smoke belching (second offense) Fine up to ₱4,000, suspension of vehicle registration.

Failure of factories to control emissions Heavy fines and closure orders.

Use of banned fuels Heavy business penalties.