'Unhealthy' air quality reported in several Metro Manila areas due to haze from Indonesia

Several areas in Metro Manila recorded air quality levels considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups” on Wednesday morning, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

In its advisory as of 7 a.m., DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau - National Capital Region (EMB-NCR) said elevated levels of fine particulate matter or PM2.5 were monitored in seven monitoring stations:

• Makati - 139
• Las Piñas - 129
• Parañaque - 131
• Malabon - 108
• Quezon City (Ateneo) - 101
• Quezon City (SMPH Commonwealth) - 106
• Taguig (TUP) - 101

Residents who need to go outdoors are advised to use respiratory protection such as an N95 mask.

The public is also urged to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly children, senior citizens, and pregnant women.

Those belonging to sensitive groups should monitor how they feel and adjust their activities as needed.

Meanwhile, the air quality in other stations slightly became better from yesterday and categorized as "fair":

• Mandaluyong
• Manila
• Marikina (Parang)
• Muntinlupa (Filinvest City)
• Navotas
• Pasay
• Pateros
• San Juan City
• Valenzuela

On Monday, several stations in the capital region recorded "very unhealthy" and "acutely unhealthy" air quality levels.

The EMB said it is also monitoring the air quality situation in Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and Central Visayas.

"The observed haze is possibly associated with smoke and transboundary haze from ongoing fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, which may have been transported towards the Philippines by prevailing winds," the agency added.

The DENR-EMB earlier said that haze may continue to affects parts of the country until September 3. But the air quality could improve between September 4 to 6 "if rainfall remains widespread and wind patterns begin to shift." — Joviland Rita and Vince Angelo Ferreras/ RSJ/ VDV, GMA News