14/09/2026
Air quality concerns have resurfaced across several parts of the Philippines as haze associated with ongoing forest and land fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia continues to move across Southeast Asia.
According to DENR Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) air quality monitoring, MIMAROPA reached “very unhealthy” levels, while parts of Central Visayas, Negros Island Region, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and Caraga also recorded varying levels of unhealthy air quality.
DENR-EMB monitoring also previously detected elevated concentrations of PM2.5 in Metro Manila. These fine airborne particles can pe*****te deep into the respiratory system and may pose greater risks to people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
Regional monitoring cited by IQAir and the ASEAN Specialized Meteorological Centre indicates that prevailing winds can transport smoke from Kalimantan toward the central Philippines, with haze conditions potentially recurring while dry conditions persist.
Residents in affected areas are advised to monitor official air quality updates, limit prolonged outdoor exposure during periods of poor air quality, and use well-fitting particulate-filtering masks when necessary.
Sources: DENR Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), ASEAN Specialized Meteorological Centre (ASMC), IQAir