Haze from Indonesia reaches more Visayan areas, Zamboanga Peninsula

The haze coming from the wildfires in Indonesia has reached more areas in the Philippines on Thursday.

According to a report by Sandra Aguinaldo in GMA News TV's State of the Nation with Jessica Soho, PAGASA-Visayas said that light haze is also being experienced in Roxas City; Dumaguete City; Maasin City; Guiuan, Samar; Borongan, Samar; and Tagbilaran City.

Authorities in Zamboanga Peninsula also raised a haze alert.

Earlier, the presence of haze has been reported in Tawi-Tawi, parts of Palawan, Koronadal City in South Cotabato, and Metro Cebu.

PAGASA pinpointed the source of haze affecting portions of the country.

"Extremely dry po ngayon sa Indonesia base sa forecast po ng BMKG Indonesia talagang marami po 'yung consecutive dry days kung saan napaka-dry talaga nila," said Ana Solis from PAGASA.

"'Yung nangyayari po na nakakaapekto sa parts of Palawan and most of the Visayas ito po 'yung forest fire dito sa west Kalimantan area dito sa may parteng Sumatra and then 'yun naman pong dito sa may part ng Soccsksargen sa Mindanao ay mostly galing po 'yung haze na 'yun sa east Kalimantan," she added.

Solis said that thick "smaze" or a combination of smoke and haze may be experienced in the country if the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat continues to prevail and draw the smoke from the Indonesian forest fire towards the Philippines.

She added that the haze may last until October, when the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan starts to dominate in the country and the rainy season begins in Indonesia. — Dona Magsino/BAP, GMA News