ILOILO — Haze has spread across half of Iloilo Province, with 29 of its 43 municipalities and component city recording minimal haze from Indonesian wildfires and several other areas reporting visible haze, but authorities said no health-affected individuals have been reported across the province as of Friday, September 4.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), citing its latest Provincial Haze Monitoring, said minimal haze was observed in Guimbal, Igbaras, Miag-ao, Oton, San Joaquin, Tigbauan, Leganes, New Lucena, Pavia, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Zarraga, Badiangan, Bingawan, Lambunao, Janiuay, Maasin, Mina, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Passi City, San Enrique, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Carles, Estancia, San Rafael and Sara.
Visible haze was recorded in the upland portions of Tubungan, Alimodian, Leon and Calinog, while minimal haze was observed in their low-lying areas.
In Lemery, haze was minimal in upland areas but was not observed in low-lying communities.
Concepcion, meanwhile, recorded visible haze, while Cabatuan, Pototan and Dueñas reported negative or no visible haze conditions.
Despite the widespread presence of haze, the PDRRMO said no health-affected individuals had been reported across all five congressional districts of Iloilo as of its latest monitoring.
Residents, however, were advised to remain cautious, particularly in areas where haze is noticeable.
The PDRRMO urged residents to wear masks when outdoors, stay hydrated, keep doors and windows closed when haze is noticeable, monitor themselves for respiratory discomfort and other health symptoms, and follow official advisories from local authorities.
‘FAIR’ AIR QUALITY IN 3 TOWNS
Despite the haze, air quality monitoring stations in Oton, Pavia and San Miguel showed that conditions remained within the “fair” category as of noon Friday.
Based on PM10 rolling 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI) averages from Ambient Air Monitoring Stations in the three municipalities, pollutant concentrations remained within the corresponding fair AQI level, indicating generally acceptable air quality during the monitoring period.
Conditions were less favorable in Iloilo City.
The Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station at the Garden of Love in Barangay Nabitasan, La Paz recorded a PM2.5 rolling 24-hour AQI average classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups” as of noon Friday.
The classification means air pollution could pose health concerns particularly to children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with existing respiratory or heart conditions.
Members of these vulnerable groups were advised to limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities and reduce their exposure to outdoor air whenever possible. Those who need to go outside were advised to take appropriate precautions against particulate matter.
The haze affecting several parts of the Philippines may be associated with smoke and transboundary haze from ongoing fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia./PN
