At least 5,000 Filipinos are dying every year because of pulmonary diseases caused by poor air quality in the country, a clean air advocate organization said on Tuesday. During a news forum held at Annabel’s Restaurant on Tomas Morato Street in Quezon City, lawyer Glynda Bathan of the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities said that their figure of 5,000 was based on a study they conducted on effects of air pollution mostly caused by motor vehicles.
Respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia as well as heart disease, are among the results of prolonged exposure to air pollutants, which are fatal to very young and very old individuals.
Based on the study, pulmonary and respiratory illnesses are among the top 10 leading causes of mortality in the Philippines while heart disease is still the No. 1 killer in the country.
Bathan said that her group has called the attention of President Benigno Aquino 3rd through an open letter for his administration to make a priority the campaign against air pollution as he did that on unauthorized use of blaring sirens and blinkers.
The government in the past imposed measures to help eliminate if not minimize air pollution in the country, including compulsory emission testing for vehicles, banning of incinerators and closing of open dumps.
Vehicles are the major source of air pollution particularly in Metro Manila while faulty driving habits and poor
vehicle maintenance contribute to the increase in harmful pollutants released into the air.
The Coalition for Clean Air Advocates (CCAA) said that it will be offering free emission testing specifically to public utility vehicles as their contribution to help promote the Clean Air Act.
Henry Tan, the head of the CCAA, announced that they have started the free emission testing but have been implementing it on a voluntary basis.
CCAA member Alex Loinaz reminded motorists to maintain their vehicles regularly by getting a tune-up, changing oil and checking the radiator.
He said that motorists should use their vehicles’ air-conditioning system only when needed, and to avoid overloading and engine idling for a long period of time. –JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA, Manila Times
July 2025
Nutrition Month
“Give us much more than P50 increase
for proper nutrition!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
July
3 July – International Day of Cooperatives
3 July – International Plastic Bag Free Day
5 July – World Youth Skills Day
7 July – Global Forgiveness Day
11 July – World Population Day
17 July – World Day for International Justice
28 July – World Nature Conservation Day
30 July – World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Monthly Observances:
Schools Safety Month
Nutrition Month
National Disaster Consciousness Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 2: Cultural Communities Week
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
Development Week
Week 3: National Science and
Technology Week
National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week
July 1-7:
National Culture Consciousness Week
July 13-19:
Philippines Business Week
Week ending last Saturday of July:
Arbor Week
Daily Observances:
First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines
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