BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The government and its stakeholders are mapping out actions to improve air quality in identified airsheds in the region.
Members of the Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay (BLISTT) Airshed technical working group convened on January 24, 2025 in Baguio City to put together various activities and programs relative to airshed management.
This year’s BLISTT action plan revolves on amplified goals in strengthening land use planning, reviewing ongoing transport plans, intensifying public awareness and information education campaigns, and organizational development.
Major activities include air quality monitoring in the area, procurement of smoke emission testing machines, assistance to the passage of the Clean Air ordinance, establishment of a green buffer zone, capacity building, and implementation of local ordinances, among others.
The plan will be presented to the BLISTT Airshed governing board for approval and implementation.
The governing board lead by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the Environmental Management Bureau is a multisectoral group composed of local government units, line agencies, educational institutions, and private sector representatives. It is primarily mandated to formulate policies, prepare action plans and submissions, and publish an annual Air Quality Status Report for airsheds.
Airsheds, as stated in the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, are areas with similar climate, meteorology, and topology which affect the interchange and diffusion of pollutants in the atmosphere.
As of 2018, there are 22 air sheds in the Philippines including the BLISTT. These are established for the state to formulate a holistic national program of air pollution management that shall be implemented by the government through proper delegation and effective coordination of functions and activities.
To achieve this, airsheds are designated as part of the air quality control action plan mandated under the Act and consistent with the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework.
Each officially designated airsheds have their own governing board. (JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR)
