The Environmental Management Bureau Negros Island Region (EMB-NIR) warned that the air quality in Bacolod City and La Castellana, Negros Occidental, was classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups” at noon Thursday, Sept. 3.
Due to poor air quality, the bureau advised individuals with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, to limit outdoor exertion.
Air quality levels in La Carlota City and Canlaon City were reported as fair during the same period.
The noon advisory reflected a slight improvement from 8 a.m. readings, which recorded “very unhealthy” conditions in Bacolod City, “acutely unhealthy” levels in La Castellana, and “unhealthy for sensitive groups” in La Carlota City.
Canlaon City remained fair throughout the morning.
EMB-NIR continues to monitor ambient air quality levels as haze affects several areas across the Philippines. The conditions are believed to be linked to transboundary haze and smoke from forest fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia.
“The haze from Indonesia is accompanied by ash being blown towards the Philippines by southwest monsoon winds,” EMB-NIR Regional Director Vicente Losbañes said.
Losbañes added that ash emissions from Kanlaon Volcano, combined with the haze, are likely contributing to the poor air quality in La Castellana.
Kanlaon Volcano has been obscured by fog for nearly a week, La Castellana Mayor Añejo Nico said.
Residents of La Castellana have been advised to wear face masks, he said.
Losbañes explained that air quality levels are classified based on concentrations of PM2.5, or fine particulate matter.
“Particulate matter 2.5 refers to very fine dust or dirt in the air,” Losbañes said. “It is so fine that if a person breathes it in, it could go straight to their lungs.”
People with heart and lung diseases are strongly urged to wear masks and stay indoors, particularly in areas with elevated Air Quality Index (AQI) levels.
Losbañes noted that rainfall or a shift in wind direction could help disperse the haze, adding that haze detected in Manila and Cebu recorded higher levels than Negros.
The EMB Air Quality Index (AQI) classifications are:
- Good: Air quality is satisfactory; little to no health risk.
- Fair: Air quality is acceptable; no cautionary statements required for the general public.
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: Sensitive individuals—including children, the elderly, and people with respiratory diseases like asthma—should limit outdoor exertion.
- Very Unhealthy: People with heart or respiratory conditions should stay indoors. Pedestrians should avoid heavy traffic, and non-essential travel should be postponed.
- Acutely Unhealthy: Everyone should limit outdoor activity. Individuals with underlying health conditions must remain indoors. Local restrictions on vehicles and industrial operations may apply.
- Emergency: Severe health alert. Everyone should stay indoors with windows and doors closed. Non-emergency motor vehicle travel is prohibited.*