The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), in partnership with the Clean Air Asia, facilitated the Interagency Workshop on the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework –National Air Quality Control Action Plan on 20 November 2019. The workshop became a venue for the government agencies and other stakeholders to assess the achievements and needs in implementing the Philippine Clean Air Act.

Atty.John Edward T. Ang, Attorney III of EMB – Legal Division, presented the Clean Air Act Implementation Highlights, and provided context on what has been achieved in the past 20 years through the Clean Air Act, and way forward.

Engr.Jundy T. Del Socorro, Officer-in-Charge of EMB – Air Quality Management Section, explained the Air Quality in the Philippines and the National Air Quality Control Action Plan in DAO 2000-82, and provided context on the status of air pollution in the country and its sources.

Mr.Ricardo Infante, Department of Energy (DOE), described the role of DOE in reducing emissions from mobile sources by crafting the fuel standards, and provided supporting data on energy and fuel-related policies and measures.

Mr.Mars Arriesgado, Department of Transportation (DOTr), presented the role of DOTr in reducing emissions from mobile sources, and provided supporting data on vehicle and traffic-related policies and measures.

In the workshop, World Café Session was facilitated. World Café Session is a dynamic group discussion where participants were grouped into three and rotated in stations where they discussed different topics with the moderator, in relation to the provisions of the Philippine Clean Air Act. In Station 1, roles of each agency were shared, specific programs and policies being implemented were identified and strengths and challenges in performing each role was discussed. In Station 2, strengths and points for development in communicating and coordinating with other agencies were shared. In Station 3, the needs in order to perform roles of each agency were shared.

Also,breakout session was facilitated, by grouping in relation to control of (1)stationary source emissions, (2) mobile source emissions and (3) area source emissions. What can be further integrated into the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework (IAQIF) and National Air Quality Control Action Plan(NAQCAP) was discussed in consideration of what is currently done and what should be done way forward. Each of the three (3) groups brainstormed what can be included in terms of their agency’s role, other agencies and groups’ inclusion and roles in the NAQCAP.

Engr. Florencio E. Dominguez Jr., Chief of EMB-X – Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement Division, gave the closing remarks. The outcomes of the workshop will be used to update policies and improve its implementation.