Mild haze caused by forest fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, has reached parts of Negros Island, including Bacolod City, an environmental official confirmed Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Vicente Losbañes, regional director of the Environmental Management Bureau–Negros Island Region (EMB-NIR), said prevailing seasonal winds, including the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), likely carried the smoke toward the Philippines.
As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, EMB-NIR monitoring data registered “very unhealthy” air quality in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, while nearby monitored areas maintained a “fair” status.
Losbañes urged residents in affected areas to wear well-fitted face masks, preferably N95 or KN95, when going outdoors. He also advised individuals with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions to avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure.
In a separate advisory on Tuesday, Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya urged the public to keep doors and windows closed, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, and wear protective masks.
He emphasized that these precautions are particularly critical for children, pregnant women, senior citizens, and those with underlying respiratory conditions.
Gasataya said that the city will continuously monitor air quality levels through its monitoring station in Barangay Alijis.
Meanwhile, Dr. Adrian Hort Ramos, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Health–NIR, warned that individuals with cardiovascular diseases and respiratory illnesses such as asthma must take extra precautions.
Ramos advised the general population, especially vulnerable groups, to minimize outdoor activities in areas where haze is visible.*
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