Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

Cabinet orders action intensifies to address air pollution, heatwave, economic woes 

With air pollution rising to alarming levels in some parts of the country, the government has instructed authorities in charge to take action against slash and burn cultivation, which causes current smoky skies.
In its monthly meeting for April which ended on Friday, the cabinet stressed the need for central and local authorities to work together in resolving this issue.
Chaired by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, the meeting instructed the relevant sectors to step up to prevent health threat of the public caused by PM2.5, which approached unhealthy level.
The PM2.5 Air Quality Index (AQI) rose to an alarming 232 in Pakxe city, the capital of Champassak province in recent days, while Samakkhixai district in Attapeu province recorded an AQI of 222.
These figures indicate an extremely high level of harmful particulate matter in the air, consisting of very fine particles of ash residue from agricultural burning. A good AQI is measured at 0-50, while a moderate level is considered to be 51-100.
Such a high level is considered a health hazard because of the density of extremely fine particles in the air, which can enter the deeper parts of the lung, causing or exacerbating respiratory diseases.   
The poor air quality has resulted in authorities warning members of the public to minimise outdoor activities so they breathe in less polluted air and protect their lungs.
Laos, along with many other countries, has witnessed more frequent and more severe weather extremes, leading the cabinet to stress the need for sound preparations in response to natural disasters to mitigate their impacts. Recently, several places in Laos experienced hailstorms which damaged houses and crops.
With a heatwave currently covering the region, the cabinet has ordered that action be taken to safeguard people’s health during very high temperatures. The Ministry of Education and Sports has authorised school administrators to consider suspending classes temporarily, especially in schools that have no fans or air-conditioning.
To protect the environment, the cabinet agreed on the need for continuous inspections of companies engaged in mining operations to ensure they comply with environmental guidelines, warning that rule-breakers will be penalised.
In the economic sphere, the cabinet touched on a wide range of issues in a continuing attempt to address the ongoing economic hardships.
It called for bold action to enforce recommended solutions to address high-level inflation and regulate the price of goods, while also ensuring sufficient supplies of petrol.
Strong measures must also be taken to bolster production in order to lessen imports and boost exports and foreign currency reserves, while ensuring that investment capital enters the Lao banking system. Attention must also be paid to servicing foreign debts, the meeting advised.
The cabinet resolved that action be intensified to maximise revenue collection and modernise the system of revenue collection, to plug loopholes that lead to revenue losses, while also adhering to a policy of austerity including thrifty use of foreign currency.  
It emphasised the need to monitor large-scale hydropower and expressway construction projects as well as special economic zones to ensure they progress according to the set plans.
In addition, steps will be taken to ensure a sufficient supply of electricity amid a surge in demand during the current hot weather.
In light of reports of high school dropout rates, believed to have been caused by the current economic hardship, the cabinet instructed the Ministry of Education and Sports to take urgent action to explore possible solutions.

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
 (Latest Update April 29, 2024)