schoolscolleges2020 hed news

By Janine Bayla

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)-implemented project through Clean Air Asia held a Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) prioritization workshop and fine particle matter monitoring training workshop at Xavier University, April 7 to 8.

The project of the ASEAN-German International Cooperation dubbed as “Clean Air for Smaller Cities in the ASEAN Region” aims to empower developing cities in crafting and implementing their own Clean Air Action Plans. It is geared towards improving air quality and move forward in sustainable urban development in the ASEAN region.

This project has been constantly supporting Cagayan de Oro’s goals for cleaner air emissions since 2010 where XU, Liceo de Cagayan University and Capitol University collaborated to conduct emissions inventory for the city.

As one of the two pilot participating cities in the Philippines (the other one is Iloilo City), representatives from the local government of CDO, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO), XU - Engineering Resource Center (XU-ERC) and Chemistry Department engaged in discussing and evaluating the proposed CAAP measures formulated by the stakeholders in a workshop held in May 2014.

Among those present in the event was the project’s national consultant Dr Doris Montecastro. The evaluations of the CAP measures were screened based on the financial capacity of the government, resource feasibility, and other concerns raised by the present stakeholders.

Dr Montecastro hosted a training workshop on fine particulate matter monitoring device manufactured by GRIMM, following a comprehensive lecture on the basics of air pollution to local researchers and technical staff composed of the City Planning Development Office (CPDO) officials, DENR personnel, CLENRO officers, XU students and faculty.

This two-day workshop is in preparation for a hot spot monitoring project of the city government and XU.