DOH issues air quality index amid haze

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September 3, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  The Department of Health (DOH) has advised the public to wear masks, limit strenuous outdoor activities and take other precautions as possible haze may affect air quality in parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.

The agency urged residents to monitor official air quality advisories from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau and their respective local government units.

The DOH said people should avoid prolonged or strenuous activities outdoors when air quality deteriorates. Those who need to go outside are advised to wear masks, while outdoor workers should take regular breaks indoors and prioritize their health.

The agency also called for greater caution among children, older adults, pregnant women and people with heart or lung conditions, who may be more vulnerable to the effects of poor air quality. They were advised to have their prescribed medicines readily available.

Motorists were likewise cautioned as haze may reduce visibility and affect road conditions.

The DOH has also provided an Air Quality Index guide to help the public understand the level of air pollution and determine appropriate precautions.

The AQI ranges from “good” and “fair” conditions, under which normal activities may generally continue, to “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” “very unhealthy,” “acutely unhealthy” and “emergency,” where progressively stricter measures are advised.

At the emergency level, the DOH advises everyone to remain indoors and keep doors and windows closed to reduce exposure to polluted air.

NCR air quality

While better air quality conditions were felt in Metro Manila, parts of the Visayas and Mindanao reached up to “very unhealthy” levels, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said.

Based on DENR’s air quality monitoring at noon yesterday, particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels in Las Piñas, Malabon, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Quezon City, Taguig and Valenzuela are now at “fair” levels.

Caloocan, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Navotas, Pasay, Pateros, and San Juan were at “good” levels.

The air quality in Bicol Region and Zamboanga Peninsula were at “very unhealthy” levels, while Central Luzon and Northern Mindanao were at “acutely unhealthy” levels.

University of the Philippines-Diliman Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology professor Gerry Bagtasa explained that the cyclones to the north of the country moved south yesterday morning, prompting a shift in the wind direction.

“So, most fire emissions are towards the Visayas and Mindanao, not much in Luzon (yesterday),” he told The STAR.

As of 2 p.m., sensors spread across Quezon City have monitored “good” to “fair” air quality.

On Tuesday, the city government suspended classes in public schools after it monitored “unhealthy” air quality due to the haze. –  Josiah Antonio, Janvic Mateo