• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau-Negros Island Region (EMB-NIR) has confirmed that haze is affecting Negros Island, with La Castellana recording a “very unhealthy” air quality index (AQI), based on the agency’s latest monitoring data.
EMB-NIR Regional Director Vicente Losbañes said on Tuesday, Sept. 1 they have yet to determine the exact source of the haze affecting the island, but air quality monitoring has detected elevated pollution levels in some areas.
Other monitored areas in Negros Island are also being closely watched for changes in air quality.
Losbañes said they continue to watch air quality through the monitoring stations located in Alijis, Bacolod City, and Canlaon City, Negros Oriental in coordination with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
Haze has also been reported in other parts of the country, including Metro Manila and Cebu, as prevailing winds continue to transport smoke and pollutants over affected areas.
Losbañes advised residents in affected areas to take precautions, particularly those with respiratory illnesses, asthma and other lung-related conditions.
The public is encouraged to wear face masks when going outdoors, especially when haze is visibly present.
The Department of Health (DOH) has likewise issued a health advisory amid reports of widespread haze in several parts of the country, possibly linked to forest fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia.
DOH-Negros Island Assistant Regional Director Adrian Hort Ramos urged residents to limit prolonged outdoor activities, particularly in areas where haze is observed.
People with cardiovascular, pulmonary or respiratory conditions are advised to use particulate respirators such as N95 or KN95 masks when outdoor exposure is unavoidable. Those without underlying health conditions may use ordinary, well-fitted masks.
Health officials warned that haze contains fine particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and may enter the bloodstream, potentially aggravating asthma, emphysema, heart disease and other respiratory conditions.
The DOH advised residents to stay indoors when air quality deteriorates, keep doors and windows closed, and use air-conditioning systems on recirculate mode when possible. | GPB
