Haze in PH caused by Habagat bringing smoke from Indonesia, says DENR-EMB

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) on Tuesday explained that the haze currently affecting parts of the country is the smoke from the Kalimantan, Indonesia forest fires being carried over by the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat.

DENR-EMB also said that the haze may last for a few days.

"From September 1 to September 3, haze may continue to affect parts of the Philippines because smoke from Kalimantan is still being transported by the prevailing southwest monsoon (Habagat) while fires remain active," said Jundy del Socorro, chief of the Environmental Quality Management Division of DENR-EMB.

The Palace has also issued a statement explaining the haze in parts of Luzon and Visayas.

"Dahil sa Habagat, umabot sa ilang bahagi ng Luzon at Visayas ang haze mula sa forest fires sa Kalimantan, Indonesia," the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a Facebook post.

(Due to the southwest monsoon, haze from forest fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, reached parts of Luzon and the Visayas.)

It also advised the public to wear masks or cover their nose and mouth with wet towels when going outside.

"Kung kailangang lumabas at walang N95, maaaring gumamit ng basang panyo o tela o double-mask bilang alternatibong proteksyon," PCO added.

(If you need to go out and do not have an N95 mask, you can use a damp handkerchief or cloth, or double-mask, as alternative protection.)

Del Socorro, meanwhile, said that "periods of rain can help reduce pollution levels by washing smoke particles and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) out of the atmosphere."

"In general, a wet Habagat is beneficial for air quality. As long as the monsoon continues to bring moisture and rainfall, it helps suppress haze by removing suspended particulate matter from the atmosphere and reducing the concentration of smoke particles in the air," he added.

Several areas in Metro Manila continue to record high concentration of PM 2.5, with 11 stations with "acutely unhealthy" air quality and four others with "very unhealthy" levels.

Air quality

The DENR-EMB said that air quality could improve between September 4 to 6.

"Between September 4 and September 6, air quality could gradually improve if rainfall remains widespread and wind patterns begin to shift. Rain is one of the most effective natural mechanisms for removing suspended particles from the air, which can lead to better visibility and lower haze concentrations," said Del Socorro.

"Beyond September 6, conditions will depend primarily on whether the fires in Kalimantan continue to generate smoke, whether new hotspots emerge, and whether winds continue to carry smoke toward the Philippines," he added.

The DENR-EMB added that it's been monitoring air quality as well in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa.

The agency advised the public to limit prolonged outdoor activities, especially those sensitive to air pollution. —VAL, GMA News