Iloilo City air quality worsens as Indonesia haze reaches Visayas

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Air quality in parts of Iloilo City has deteriorated as transboundary haze from forest fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, spreads across portions of the Philippines, prompting local authorities to advise vulnerable residents to avoid outdoor physical activities.

The Iloilo City Operations Center (OpCen), in an advisory issued at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, said the haze was affecting portions of Luzon and the Visayas, with the prevailing southwest monsoon or “habagat” carrying particulate matter northward from Indonesia.

The advisory preceded a separate health warning released at 9 p.m. saying the haze had reached Western Visayas and could cause coughing, throat irritation, chest discomfort, and watery eyes, with people suffering from asthma and cardiovascular disease facing greater risks.

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In Iloilo City, monitoring showed a marked increase in fine particulate pollution.

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READ: Indonesia fire-linked haze affects Metro Manila air quality

At the Environmental Management Bureau Region VI’s Garden of Love monitoring station, the PM2.5 Air Quality Index rose from readings classified as “Good” late last week to “Fair” on Aug. 31.

The station recorded AQI readings of 19 on Aug. 28, 34 on Aug. 29 and 41 on Aug. 30 before climbing to 70 on Aug. 31.

More concerning conditions were detected at the Central Philippine University/Ungka monitoring station, where real-time measurements cited by OpCen showed a US AQI of 116, classified as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,” with a PM2.5 concentration of 41.4 micrograms per cubic meter.

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Regional satellite and PurpleAir monitoring also indicated elevated particulate levels over parts of Indonesia and scattered elevated concentrations along western and central Philippine corridors, according to the advisory.

OpCen said atmospheric analysis at an altitude of about three kilometers showed sustained southwesterly airflow transporting particulate matter from Indonesia across Philippine airspace.

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An observable haze layer was documented Tuesday morning at moderate levels along affected corridors. Authorities warned that lighter surface and low-level winds in the afternoon could reduce the dispersal of pollutants, allowing fine particles to remain closer to the ground.

PM2.5 refers to microscopic airborne particles measuring 2.5 micrometers or smaller. Because of their size, the particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and may enter the bloodstream.

Exposure may trigger coughing, difficulty breathing, throat irritation, chest discomfort and watery eyes and can aggravate asthma, chronic bronchitis, heart disease and other existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, OpCen said.

Children, senior citizens, pregnant women and people with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular illnesses were advised to avoid outdoor physical activities and, as much as possible, remain indoors in areas with filtered air.

If going outdoors cannot be avoided, authorities strongly urged residents, particularly vulnerable individuals, to use properly fitted N95 masks or appropriate masks capable of filtering fine particulate matter.

Residents were also advised to keep doors and windows closed during periods when haze is at its worst, avoid low-lying areas where smoke and suspended particles may accumulate, and use air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters when available.

Motorists were told to exercise additional caution because haze may reduce visibility and to ensure that vehicle headlights or fog lights are working properly.

Those who experience difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, or chest pain were advised to seek medical attention immediately.

The Iloilo City Operations Center said it was continuing to monitor the haze and the southwest monsoon, together with information from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, its Visayas regional weather office, and other air-quality monitoring sources.

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Authorities said further advisories could be issued depending on changes in atmospheric and air-quality conditions. /cb