n 2008 American Tim Bauer received the prestigious Rolex Award for his efforts to reduce the air pollution that envelopes major cities in the Philippines as well as in other Asian countries.
For Filipinos returning to Manila from first-world countries in Europe or North America, the grime that envelopes buildings, and structures along the roadway are immediately apparent and stand as a silent yet irrefutable testament as to how polluted this metropolis has become.
Enter Tim Bauer a 32-year-old with a mechanical engineering degree from Colorado State University who along with his colleague Nathan Lorenz, set up shop in Vigan, Ilocos Sur to develop and market a kit that reduces the particulate emissions of two-stroke tricycle engines by roughly 70 percent; carbon monoxide (CO) emissions by 76 per cent; hydrocarbons emissions by 89 per cent; and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 35 per cent.
Bauer, Lorenz and their Filipino counterparts have refitted over 250 tricycles in Vigan and Puerto Princesa, Palawan and now plan to expand to other cities of the archipelago.
Roughly 30 percent of the parts used in the kit are produced in the Philippines.
With its exploding population growth and the widespread use of Diesel and two-stroke engines, Bauer and his device couldn't have come at a more opportune time. The World Bank estimates that each year air pollution in the Philippines causes at least 15,000 deaths with related health costs and loss of earnings amounting to US$19 million and $134 million respectively.
We salute Mr. Bauer and his team for helping cleanup our environment so future generations of Filipinos can lead healthier, happier, and more fulfilled lives than today's generation.
To read more about Tim Bauer and the Rolex Awards click here.



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Name: Melvin City/State/Country: United States IP Address: 149.136.17.253
CommentsI used to live in the Philippines during the 80's and left in '92 after the closure of US bases. I came back to the Philippines in '08 and found out the jeepneys & tricycles haven't changed one bit. Traffic & pollution have gotten worse over the years. First I want to thank Mr. Bauer (Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer myself) for taking the time to visit the Philippines and improving the country's pollution problems. I wonder why the Philippine government never made any effort in improving air quality especially in Metro Manila. There needs to be a law for the air quality requirements of all vehicles in the Philippines. This poor quality air pollution must stop now!
Name: Jun Canlas City/State/Country: Manila/Victoria IP Address: 69.176.163.188
CommentsOne does not have to be a genius to understand that when tens of thousands of vehicles are stuck in traffic jams, sometimes for hours, these vehicles not only waste millions of liters of fuel but also foul the air in our cities. It was reported that in Metro Manila alone, 2 million Filipinos are afflicted with chronic bronchitis and other ailments associated with smog. If we are to clear the air in our cities, it is imperative then that we get rid of the traffic gridlocks first. How? First, phase-out all smoke-belching jeepneys and buses and replace them with hybrid and electric buses. Second, cut back on the number of cars in the city cores by levying hefty registration and user fees on them like in Singapore. (continued)
Name: GFJBHEDF City/State/Country: Hercules IP Address: 76.103.7.246
CommentsThe Philippine Envronment Monitor, in 2006, stated that about 15,000 people died of atmospheric pollution in the Philippines each year. The two stroke tricycle plying the streets of Manila produce smoke emission equivalent to 50 cars.


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