MANILA: The Makati City government suspended its anti-smoke belching operations yesterday following allegations of extortion involving the anti-smoke belching unit (ASBU) enforcers.
In ordering the suspension of anti-smoke belching operations by the Makati Pollution and Control Office (MPCO), Mayor Jejomar Binay Jr also ordered city administrator Eleno Mendoza to investigate the complaints.
Aside from allegations of extortion by some MPCO personnel, there are also reports that the enforcers failed to comply with the implementing guidelines of the local vehicle emission code and the Clean Air Act or Republic Act 8749. Binay called on the public to file their complaints against MPCO personnel with the office of the city administrator.
Binay issued the suspension order after learning of several complaints posted on the city’s official Twitter accounts, @MakatiTraffic and @MakatiInfo, as well as on Facebook and on blogs.
Among the issues frequently raised by complainants was the improper conduct of roadside emission testing, particularly ASBU enforcers allegedly stepping too hard and long on the accelerator.
Cases of extortion and harassment were also aired by netizens, as well as traffic jams arising from the conduct of ASBU operations in the city. Another complaint was their seeming indifference to smoke-belching public utility jeepneys and buses.
“The city government does not tolerate abusive law enforcers. We have suspended ASBU operations to make way for a thorough investigation on the complaints we have been receiving from a growing number of motorists venting their frustrations on social media,” Binay said.
The Philippine Star
