BALANGA CITY – Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act has no teeth in Bataan as evidenced by its wanton violation by motorists whose vehicles continue to emit poisonous fumes along the major streets in the province.

While the Land Transportation Office is bent in going after violators or the smoke belchers, other motorists here continue to defy the law, compromising the campaign for a clean environment in the province.

Newsmen based here noted that while it is true that motor vehicles are subject to smoke emission tests, these appear to be just mere compliance with the law as many of the vehicles continue to belch pollutants through their tailpipes.

One reason, insiders said, is the presence of fixers in smoke emission test facilities who facilitate “passing marks” even for smoke-belching vehicles.

“Puwede nang hindi ipa smoke belching test yung mga sasakyan para dina kayo maabala; kunin lang namin ang dating file nito noong nagdaang mga taon ay iyon na ang basis na rin ng smoke emission test, di pa kayo maabala,” admitted a fixer who has connections to a smoke emission testing firm here.