Air quality in Metro Manila, Tagaytay improves

MANILA, Philippines — Air quality in Metro Manila has returned to “good” levels following the smog and haze that led to the suspension of face-to-face classes on Monday.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said the air quality index recorded “good” in most of the monitoring stations in the National Capital Region as of 11 a.m. yesterday.

Testing for particulate matter (PM) 2.5, stations in Makati, Pateros and Parañaque were good while Caloocan was classified as fair.

The station in Tagaytay also tested good for the PM2.5 air quality index.

PM 2.5 are fine inhalable particles that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller that are found in the air, which include dust, dirt, soot and smoke. These particles can penetrate into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream.

The monitoring stations also yielded good air quality in Caloocan, San Juan, Makati, Parañaque and Pateros when monitoring for PM10.

Meanwhile, Taguig scored fair levels for PM10.

The air quality registered very unhealthy in Makati, Caloocan, Pateros and Parañaque City on Monday.

The DENR said the air pollution level was primarily attributed to emissions from heavy vehicular traffic, especially during rush hour, and the effect of thermal inversion which traps air pollutants in the surface level.

Still, the department said that the haze could be attributed to the vog or the plumes emitted by Taal volcano.

Precautionary measures

Malacañang yesterday called on the public to undertake precautionary measures after the Taal Volcano emitted sulfur dioxide that can cause irritation to the eyes, throat and respiratory tract.

Assistant Secretary Joey Villarama, the Presidential Communications Office’s spokesman for natural calamities and disasters, said volcanic ash can cause diseases so the public is advised to avoid unnecessary trips outside their homes. He noted that some schools have shifted to online classes because of the emission.

“Obviously, we need to minimize the casualties, the loss of lives... So we appeal to our countrymen to be careful. The government is doing everything to ensure that the Taal Volcano unrest would not have a huge impact,” Villarama said.

“If there is a need to evacuate the affected inhabitants or residents within the vicinity of the Taal Volcano, the government agencies have to coordinate and work together,” he added.

Villarama said other precautionary measures include wearing face masks and goggles and watching over senior citizens and children, sectors that are vulnerable to the effects of the volcanic smog or vog.

“Let us use protective equipment like umbrellas or raincoats, whether this is caused by the volcanic ash or pollution,” he added.

Schools in more than 40 areas in CALABARZON and Metro Manila suspended in-person classes last Monday because of the vog.

PNP disaster group

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has activated its disaster incident management task group in preparation for a possible evacuation of residents in Calabarzon as Taal Volcano continues to emit sulfur dioxide.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said police search and rescue teams were deployed in the region in the event there is a need to evacuate residents who are living near the volcano.

“The PNP is ready to provide assistance to local government units in terms of security coverage if there is need for rescue and transport to evacuation centers,” she said at a Camp Crame news briefing.

Fajardo said there is no directive for an evacuation in areas in Batangas near the volcano as of yesterday afternoon.

She assured residents of Batangas their search and rescue teams are readily available for deployment in the affected areas. — Alexis Romero, Emmanuel Tupas