MANILA Philippine President Joseph Estrada on Wednesday signed a "clean air act" intended to curb air pollution produced by hydrocarbon fuels but admitted to concerns it would have economic drawbacks. "I consider it a victory as a people that we will now seal into law our collective aim to fight for cleaner air," Estrada said in a ceremony signing the bill into law.

The law bans almost all forms of garbage incineration and imposes higher standards on oil products to lower the amount of pollution they generate. Estrada admitted that oil companies had lobbied against the statute since it would cost them more to produce the higher standard of petrol while foreign governments which are marketing incineration technology, had also wanted the bill amended.

"Many industrialists (opposed it) because they will spend a lot and there were even threats that they might even close down because they cannot follow the standards set in the law," Estrada said. Estrada also admitted that oil companies would likely pass on the cost of refining cleaner fuel to the consumers but said "that is a matter we are discussing with the oil companies, if they can join us in the major objectives of the clean air act." However he did not say he would compel the oil companies to hold down oil prices.

"With these kind of major decisions, certainly, we will balance everything but ... my decision is the decision that favours the majority," he said. (AFP)