The Tricycle Sector and the Clean Air Act

What is the estimated volume of tricycles in Metro Manila and in the country today?
There are approximately 900,000 motorcycles nationwide. Of these, Metro Manila contributes some 180,000 tricycles plying various routes in the area. This represents 20 percent of the total volume.

What are the air pollution issues relating to two-stroke tricycles?
Two-stroke tricycles have lower fuel efficiency. Some 15-40% of its fuel air mixtures escapes through the exhaust port. Because of this, the unburned gasoline and lubricant it emits contribute to an increased hydrocarbon and fine particulate emissions in the atmosphere.

Emission tests conducted on tricycles showed that the average hydrocarbon emissions was at 6,000 ppm (parts per million) or 10 times over the acceptable standard for cars.

What are the tricycle sector's recent concerns on the Clean Air Act?
The tricycle operators and drivers recently rallied against the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Resolution No. 02-36, which urged metro local government units to stop granting new franchises to two-stroke vehicles. They were also against the mandatory emission testing, prior to vehicle registration, required by the Act.

What are the provisions on the Clean Air Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) that relate to the tricycle sector?
Tricycles are covered under Section 22 of the Clean Air Act, which concerns the regulation of all motor vehicles and engines. It states that "no motor vehicle registration shall be issued unless such motor vehicle passes the emission testing requirement promulgated in accordance with this Act".

Meanwhile, the IRR stipulates that carbon monoxide emission of in-use motorcycles (two and four-stroke) should not exceed 6% of the engine's total exhaust volume during idle state.

What are the DENR, other government agencies, and other sectors doing for the tricycle sector's concerns on the Clean Air Act?
The following are being undertaken to address this concern:

1. One month suspension of implementation in Januray 2003 of MMDA Resolution No. 02-36;
2. Reduction from P300 to P90.00 emission testing fee for tricycles, at the Motor Vehicle Inspection Station of the Land Transportation Office;

3. A financing scheme is being worked out by the DENR Secretary with the Development Bank of the Philippines to help operators convert their tricycles to keep their vehicles' emission levels consistent with the standards of the Act;
4. A technical working group was created by the DENR for the formulation of the emission standard for hydrocarbons which is not included in the Act's IRR; and,
5. Ongoing research on alternative fuels is being undertaken by the Department of Energy and the Department of Science and Technology.

Source: The Clean Air Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, and, www.savetheair.org

www.emb.gov.ph