December 20, 2020
Dear Elmer Lapena,
Greetings!
Thank you for your request dated Dec 14, 2020 05:46:32 PM under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch.
Your Request
You asked for Indoor Air Quality Monitoring.
Response to Request
Upon examination of the SR template, SEC has no reportorial requirements or regulations specifically involving indoor air quality of PLCs.
However, please note that M.C. No 4, series of 2019, Sustainability Reporting Guidelines for PLCs provides for Annex A: Reporting Template which includes disclosure of Air Emissions and Air Pollutants.
On Environmental Impact Management, PLCs are to disclose their data on Air Emissions on GHG and Ozone Depleting Substances in quantity and units. Likewise, Air Pollutants are to be disclosed such as NOx, SOx, Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) and Particulate Matter (PM), also in quantity and units.
However, please take note that the Sustainability Reporting apply a "comply or explain" disclosure.
Moreover, please note the following related provisions that may be applicable on air emissions/ indoor air quality:
Under RA 8749(Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999), all industries classified as a stationary source (any building or immobile structure, facility or installation which emits or may emit any air pollutant, and may be defined generally as individual points of air emissions) should perform their own emissions monitoring and report the results to the DENR. All stationary sources of air emissions must comply with National Emission Standards for Sources Specific Air Pollution (NESSAP) and Ambient Air Quality Standard (AAQS) pertaining to the source. Upon compliance to standards, the DENR issues a Permit to Operate (PTO) to these industries prior to their operation.
SEC. 16. Permits.- Consistent with the provisions of this Act, the Department shall have the authority to issue permits as it may determine necessary for the prevention and abatement of air pollution.
Said permits shall cover emission limitations for the regulated air pollutants to help attain and maintain the ambient air quality standards. These permits shall serve as management tools for the LGUs in the development of their action plan.
Under DOT Memorandum Circular No. 006-20, [July 14, 2020], MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention, Exhibition and business events industry) Organizers and Venues or Facilities must comply with certain Health and Safety Guidelines Governing the Operations under the New Normal. However, there is no indicated reporting requirement.
SECTION 10. Sanitation, Disinfection, and Ventilation Measures. —|||
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M. Building ventilation and filtration systems must be regularly cleaned and maintained to ensure optimal indoor air quality. As far as practicable, natural ventilation, or the use of natural air movement in and out of the building, shall be utilized.|||
Your right to request a review
If you are unhappy with this response to your FOI request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response by writing to Commission Secretary at
[email protected]. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made within 15 calendar days from the date when you received this letter. We will complete the review and tell you the result within 30 calendar days from the date when we receive your review request.
If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Office of the President under Administrative Order No. 22 (s. 2011).
Thank you.
Respectfully,
Atty. Rachel Esther Gumtang- Remalante
FOI Receiving Officer
