Senator Bong Go urged Filipinos to take extra precautions against the health effects of poor air quality as haze affected communities across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, stressing anew the importance of accessible healthcare for those who may experience respiratory problems.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau has been closely monitoring elevated concentrations of PM2.5, or fine particulate matter small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs, as haze spread across several parts of the country.
“Haze is possibly associated with smoke and transboundary pollution from ongoing fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, which may have been transported toward the Philippines by prevailing winds.”
DENR-EMB said the haze is possibly associated with smoke and transboundary pollution from ongoing fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, which may have been transported toward the Philippines by prevailing winds.
Unhealthy air quality has recently being recorded in at least eight areas across the country. Talisay City in Cebu and the DENR compound monitoring station in Cagayan de Oro City were classified as “acutely unhealthy,” indicating air quality serious enough for residents to restrict outdoor activities.
Meanwhile, monitoring stations in Naga City, Camarines Sur and Barangay Talisayan in Zamboanga City recorded “very unhealthy” air quality. Batac City in Ilocos Norte, Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, Calinan in Davao City, and Koronadal City in South Cotabato were classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
The situation has also affected other parts of the country. Puerto Princesa City recorded a PM2.5 Air Quality Index of 228 on the morning of September 2, classified as “very unhealthy,” while authorities in Iloilo have advised residents to take precautions as haze affected air quality and visibility.
In Northern Mindanao, DENR monitoring showed Iligan City reaching the “acutely unhealthy” range, while Cagayan de Oro City and Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental also experienced elevated particulate pollution in recent days.
Koronadal City, meanwhile, recorded sharp fluctuations in air quality. Its AQI climbed to 268.3 early Wednesday, putting it in the “very unhealthy” category before improving later in the morning. South Cotabato disaster officials advised residents, particularly those with respiratory and lung conditions, asthma and allergies, to minimize outdoor exposure and use masks.
While Metro Manila had experienced “very unhealthy” to “acutely unhealthy” air quality earlier in the week, conditions improved considerably by midday Wednesday as wind direction shifted. DENR-EMB said the movement of the haze was increasingly affecting southwestern, western and central portions of the country.
“Heed official health advisories and seek medical attention if they experience breathing difficulty, persistent coughing, chest discomfort or other concerning symptoms.”
Go, a health reforms crusader and vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, reminded the public to heed official health advisories and seek medical attention if they experience breathing difficulty, persistent coughing, chest discomfort or other concerning symptoms.
The Department of Health has advised residents in affected areas to limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities, use an N95 mask or other appropriate face covering when going outdoors, stay hydrated, and reduce unnecessary exposure to polluted air. Children, senior citizens, pregnant women and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions are particularly vulnerable.
The veteran legislator stressed that environmental and weather-related health risks further demonstrate why primary healthcare must be readily available within communities.
“Ayaw nating may Pilipinong namamatay nang hindi man lang nakapagpakonsulta o nakatanggap ng tamang lunas dahil lang walang pambayad. Dapat, kapag may sakit, madali at abot-kaya ang pagpapagamot,” the seasoned lawmaker previously said in pushing for greater healthcare accessibility.
The senator has championed the establishment of Super Health Centers, which are designed to strengthen primary care, consultations and early disease detection at the community level. Through the efforts of lawmakers, the DOH and local governments, funding has been allocated for more than 700 such facilities nationwide.
He said accessible primary healthcare facilities are particularly important when people begin experiencing symptoms that may not initially require hospitalization but still need professional assessment before their conditions worsen.
Go likewise reminded qualified patients requiring hospital treatment that Malasakit Centers are available to help them conveniently access government medical assistance programs.
He is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the one-stop-shop program in qualified public hospitals.
Complementing these programs is RA 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which Go principally sponsored and co-authored. The law seeks to bring specialized medical services, including treatment for lung and cardiovascular diseases, closer to Filipinos outside Metro Manila.
He emphasized that strengthening healthcare access must go hand in hand with prevention, particularly as haze, severe weather and other environmental conditions can place additional pressure on hospitals and health facilities.
“Health is wealth. Ang kalusugan ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” Go has repeatedly stressed.
He urged families across the country to continue monitoring official DENR-EMB, DOH and local government advisories, noting that air quality can change rapidly depending on wind direction, rainfall and the movement of transboundary haze.
