Republic of the Philippines

CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE

F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte, 4600 Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND BIO-SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

Critique Paper of Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act No 8749)

The Republic Act No. 8749 is an important law in the Philippines, passed in 1999. The
law defines air pollution as anything that could cause harm to human health, plants, animals, and
the environment. It also sets standards for various industries and sets limits on emissions from
vehicles and factories. The law also has provisions for the enforcement of the law and the
penalization of violators.
The law has had a positive impact on air quality in the country. It has set limits on the
number of emissions from factories and vehicles and has allowed for better enforcement of the
law. This has resulted in improved air quality, reducing the risk of respiratory illnesses, heart
diseases, and other diseases related to air pollution. One of the key strengths of this Act has been
its emphasis on the reduction of air pollution – both directly, through the introduction of
restrictions on activities that produce air pollution, and indirectly, through the promotion of
renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind. This has been highly effective in reducing the
amount of air pollution, improving air quality, and protecting the environment. Another strength
of the Act is its commitment to public education and awareness. It has done this through the
introduction of campaigns that help people to understand the problems associated with air
pollution and climate change, as well as how they can help to reduce it. This has helped to create
a culture of environmental responsibility and has encouraged citizens to take positive steps to
reduce their own levels of air pollution. The Act has also had a positive impact on climate
change. It has introduced measures aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, thereby
reducing the amount of global warming that is happening. In addition, it has helped to promote
the use of renewable energy sources, which are much more eco-friendly and reduce the need for
the burning of fossil fuels.
The Republic Act No. 8749 has been a strong and effective piece of legislation that has
had a positive and lasting impact on the environment of the Philippines. It has done this through
its focus on reducing air pollution and promoting renewable energy sources, as well as through
its commitment to public education and awareness.
However, the Republic Act No. 8749 has been criticized for several weaknesses. There
are some gaps in the implementation of the law. For instance, the law does not have a clear
definition of what pollutants are considered to be dangerous. This makes it difficult for the
government to effectively target and reduce dangerous pollutants. In addition, the law does not
have provisions for implementing air quality enforcement at the local level. This has led to some
areas not being sufficiently monitored, leading to poor air quality. Also, the Act does not contain
 Republic of the Philippines

CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE

F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte, 4600 Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND BIO-SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

specific and enforceable standards for ambient air quality levels. It instead outlines general
objectives, such as reducing air pollution, without providing any specific numerical or
measurable goals. This makes it difficult for regulators to assess whether or not the Act is being
effective in achieving its objectives. The Act does not provide sufficient penalties for those who
violate its provisions. While the Act does outline a range of penalties for violations of its
provisions, the penalties are not sufficient to deter violators. As a result, the Act’s enforcement is
limited and its effectiveness is diminished. It does not provide sufficient funding for its
implementation. The Act outlines a range of activities required for its implementation, such as
monitoring, research, and information dissemination. However, the Act does not provide for an
adequate budget to fund these activities, which limits its effectiveness. Finally, the Act does not
provide for adequate public participation in its implementation. The Act allows for public
hearings and stakeholder consultations but does not require them. This means that stakeholders
and members of the public can be excluded from the decision-making process. As a result, their
interests may be overlooked in the implementation of the Act. Republic Act No. 8749 has several
weaknesses that limit its effectiveness. Without specific and enforceable standards, sufficient
penalties, adequate funding, and adequate public participation, the Act is unlikely to be effective
in achieving its objectives.
Overall, Republic Act No. 8749 has been a positive step toward improving air quality in
the Philippines. However, there are still gaps in the implementation of the law that need to be
addressed. With better enforcement and clearer definitions of pollutants, the law could be even
more effective in reducing air pollution.
 Republic of the Philippines

CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE

F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte, 4600 Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND BIO-SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

References
Republic Act No. 8749, Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999. Retrieved from
https://emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/RA-8749.pdf.