The LTO said: "This proves that despite the controversy hounding the emission-testing of private vehicles, the agency continues to implement rules covered by the Clean Air Act of 1999 and apprehend smoke belchers.’’

The Energy and Clean Air Act Project (ECAP), a technical assistance program funded by the USAID, donated the new set of equipment which LTO could use in apprehending smoke belchers on the road from ECAP to LTO’s Anti- Smoke Belching Unit (ASBU).

The tools include respirators, leather gloves, pen lights, halogen lamp, bolt cutter, and traffic cones.

The USAID-ECAP, which has been a partner of LTO for a year now in its campaign to rid the roads of smoke belchers, has expressed its support in the strict implementation of the provisions of the Clean Air Act.

ECAP has also offered to assign a technical adviser on vehicle regulations for the LTO.

Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) Assistant Secretary and LTO chief Anneli Lontoc said the agency is after a stricter policy implementation of the land transport laws and the Clean Air Act.

Lontoc added that ECAP’s support will definitely be a great help in realizing the goal.

The government’s campaign against smoke belchers recently figured in a controversy after independent private emission testing center (PETC) operators all over the country bared alleged anomalies in the emission-testing of private motor vehicles for registration.

The independent PETC owners alleged that the DoTC and the LTO are allegedly protecting the various illegal activities of a big organization of PETC owners and operators, the Private Emission Test Center Operators Association (PETCOA).

PETCs are the ones tasked by the government to issue Certificates of Emission Compliance (CECs) for private motor vehicles which is reguired by LTO during registration.