Inquirer·Philippines·Friday, September 4, 2026 at 04:07 PM

Forest fire-linked haze still present in Palawan, areas in Visayas, Mindanao

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Holly Bacay

Visibility nearly fell to zero in Metro Cebu on Sept. 3, 2026, as air quality deteriorated amid haze linked to ongoing forest fires in Indonesia. (Screenshot from Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera’s Facebook video)

MANILA, Philippines — The hazardous haze from forest fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia are still detected in Palawan and several areas in Visayas and Mindanao, the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) on Friday warned.

READ: DOH: Better mask up amid haze from Indonesia forest fires

The OCD advised the public to wear protective masks, particularly N95 masks, when outdoors in the following areas due to the presence of transboundary haze:

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Palawan
Cebu
Zamboanga del Sur
Zamboanga del Norte
South Cotabato
Misamis Oriental
Lanao del Norte
Zamboanga Sibugay
Basilan
Tawi-Tawi
Sulu

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) reported high PM2.5 levels.

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This situation indicates fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter in the country last Tuesday, Sept. 1.

As of Friday, Sept. 4, ‘very unhealthy’ air quality index (AQI) was still raised over Talisay City in Cebu, Koronadal City in South Cotabato, and Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte.

Under this level, the AQI ranges from 201 to 300, indicating that the air pollution may affect the general public.

Meanwhile, the DENR-EMB also reported 101 to 150 AQI in IloIlo City, La Castellana in Negros Occidental, Iligan City in Northern Mindanao, Butuan City and some areas in Butuan City.

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The affected places were put under ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ level, which means air quality is harmful to individuals with respiratory problems, elderly, children, pregnant women, among others.

On Friday, the PM2.5 levels in the National Capital Region recorded good AQI, which indicates that the air quality is no longer harmful.

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The air quality in Metro Manila last Tuesday reached up to ‘acutely unhealthy’ levels, due to the reported AQI of up to 300.

The Department of Health warned that the transboundary haze may cause difficulty in breathing, coughing, chest pain, watering of the eyes, itchiness in the nose, and may worsen respiratory diseases, such as asthma. /apl

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