Metro Manila woke up to some of the worst air quality it has seen in years as transboundary haze from Indonesian forest fires pushed the National Capital Region into acutely unhealthy territory. Schools, mayors and health agencies are all telling residents the same thing: mask up and stay indoors when you can.
How bad is the air right now?
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau reported that ten Metro Manila cities logged very unhealthy air quality readings, while Las Piñas and Parañaque reached “acutely unhealthy” levels. Real-time monitors put Parañaque’s Don Bosco area at an AQI of 270 and the DENR station at Mehan Garden in Manila at 231.
The culprit is fine particulate matter called PM2.5, particles small enough to reach deep into the lungs. Smoke from fires in Kalimantan is being carried toward the country by the southwest monsoon, or habagat.
Haze reaches Luzon, Visayas and beyond
The pollution is not limited to the capital. Iloilo City also saw air quality deteriorate as the haze spread across portions of the Visayas, with authorities advising vulnerable residents to avoid outdoor activity. Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Mimaropa are likewise affected.
- Unhealthy for sensitive groups to acutely unhealthy readings across NCR
- Haze observed in Iloilo City and parts of the Visayas
- Winds could keep the haze around through September 3
- Rains from September 4 to 6 may gradually clear the air
Classes suspended, masks urged
Quezon City suspended onsite classes in public schools on Tuesday because of the poor air, and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno put city health facilities on alert. The Office of Civil Defense and the Department of Health both advise minimizing time outdoors and wearing a well-fitted N95 mask when you do go out.
How to protect yourself
| Action | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Stay indoors, keep windows closed | Limits how much PM2.5 enters your space |
| Wear an N95 mask outside | Filters the fine particles that irritate lungs |
| Use an air purifier with HEPA filter | Traps particulates in rooms you occupy |
| Stay hydrated, rinse irritated eyes | Eases throat and eye irritation from smoke |
Children, older adults, pregnant women and people with asthma, heart or lung conditions face the highest risk. Anyone struggling to breathe or feeling persistent chest pain should seek medical help immediately.
This haze is the same transboundary smoke we flagged when it first reached the country, and class suspensions linked to the conditions have already rolled out in several provinces. Keep an eye on local air quality reports and official advisories before heading out.
