If

managed correctly, the Clean Air Act can provide flexibility for businesses competing in the new global economy. If managed poorly, which is all too often the case, the Clean Air Act can impede business growth and,

 worse

yet, lead to lengthy and expensive enforcement actions that result in the assessment of substantial fines and the requirement to install potentially unplanned and expensive pollution controls.

 The

Philippines Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act No. 8749) outlines the governments measures to reduce air pollution and incorporate environmental protection into its development plans.

 It

relies heavily on the polluter pays principle and other marketbased instruments to promote self-regulation among the population. It sets emission standards for all motor vehicles and issues pollutant limitations for industry.

The clear intent of the Clean Air Act is to bring the citizenry into a national cooperative and selfregulatory effort to clean the air we now breath, and to ensure that our children will continue to enjoy the same.

The measures to be adopted are meant to be preventive rather than corrective, with everyone voluntarily cooperating with the government rather than it coercing the citizenry.