Smoke, haze from Indonesia forest fire reach PHL; PAGASA warns of low visibility

The smoke and haze from the forest fire in Indonesia has reached the Philippines, according to a report of GMA’s Saksi on Monday.

Initially, residents in Tawi-Tawi mistook the haze for fog that they usually experience during mornings but the thick smoke remained all day.

The haze was also seen over Puerto Princesa, Palawan since Friday.

According to PAGASA’s weather forecaster Ezra Bulquerin, the haze cannot be controlled since it is moving along with the direction of the wind. He added that the duration of the haze over the Philippines cannot be determined.

Bulquerin said inhaling the contaminated air brought by the haze can be harmful.

“Yung air pollutants, nag-cause siya ng smog or haze. Toxins na po yun na pwedeng ma-breathe ng tao. Harmful siya sa katawan,” Bulquerin told GMA News Online.

Due to this, weather bureau PAGASA cautioned residents in the affected areas, especially fishermen, against the dangers of low visibility.

“Mas binibigyan natin ng babala ay itong ating mangingisda kasi, lalo na kapag gabi, bababa talaga ang horizontal visibility,” PAGASA-Puerto Princesa Chief Meteorological Officer Sonny Pajarilla said. —Joviland Rita/KG/RSJ, GMA News