The city initiated various strategies on emissions reduction emphasizing on the conversion of two 2- stroke engines into four 4- stroke engines. This was introduced by Mr. Toru Hashimoto of the World Bank to the efforts of Bangkok in reducing gas emissions of 2-stroke tricycles.
In support to this strategy, the City Government with the initiative of the City Mayor and operators forged a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that stipulated the provision of loans in the amount of Nine Thousand Pesos only (P9, 000.00) for the down payment on the purchase of 4- stroke engine payable in one (1) year without any interest.
Moreover, a policy to phase out old model tricycles, those 20 years old tricycles was launched and enforced. Operators were informed as early as March 2003 on this policy to address the safety of passengers, convenience of commuters and health hazard of the community.
Motorcycles for hire plying in the streets of the City of San Fernando were also limited to 1,600 units to lessen the congestion of traffic and contribution of motorcycles to air pollution in the city. The city has also designed a more efficient rerouting scheme, which employs the operationalization of tricycle terminal to be implemented soon. This will also lessen the traffic congestion along the busy streets of the city, minimize the health hazards to commuters and to have a more organized loading and unloading scheme.
The City Government of San Fernando has signified its membership to the International Council on Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) in 2006. ICLEI’s goal is climate protection through greenhouse gas emission reduction and other sustainable practices on improving air quality.
With the conduct of intensive IEC on the health hazards caused by the smoke emitted by 2-stroke engine motorcycles, the City Government elicited the support and participation of tricycle operators.
The number of four (4)- stroke engine tricycles has been increasing since the initiative of the city started. As of November 2006, there are 1, 269 units of four (4)- stroke engine and 331 units 2- stroke engine from the 1,600 units of motorcycles. |
