RP to phase out leaded gasoline

RP to phase out leaded gasoline

MANILA (DPA): President Fidel Ramos signed yesterday an executive order phasing out leaded gasoline throughout the Philippines by the end of the century to combat worsening air pollution.

Ramos said the move was "very timely" with the country experiencing environmental havoc from El Nio and the haze from raging Indonesian forest fires.

"Lead affects virtually every part of the body and has long been recognized as a neurotoxin with deleterious effects on intelligence," Ramos said.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry will implement the phase out "provided that unleaded gasoline and other unleaded replacements shall not result in the aggravation of pollution problems" and pose undue economic difficulties, Ramos said.