Indonesia haze hits 4 Iloilo towns; health office issues advisory

By Mariela Angella Oladive

ILOILO CITY – At least four municipalities in Iloilo Province have reported haze linked to forest and land fires in Indonesia, according to the Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).

As of Sept. 2, the reported affected areas are Alimodian, Miagao, Igbaras, and Tubungan.

The haze occurs as smoke from forest and land fires in Indonesia is carried by winds across the region, affecting air quality and visibility in parts of Western Visayas.

Miagao was specifically reported to have haze on Sept. 1, according to the provincial advisory.

The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre confirmed on Sept. 1 that moderate smoke haze from Kalimantan fires had reached parts of Panay Island, with plumes traced to widespread hotspots in Kalimantan and Sumatra where dry conditions have persisted.

The Environmental Management Bureau-6 (EMB-6) confirmed the presence of haze in Miagao, prompting the University of the Philippines Visayas to advise its constituents there to wear snug-fitting face masks outdoors.

EMB-6 monitoring from Aug. 28 to 31 showed the PM2.5 Air Quality Index in Metro Iloilo remained within the “Good to Fair” category, although an increase was recorded on Aug. 31.

Authorities said conditions may vary depending on location and advised residents to monitor official updates from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and local government units.

Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) chief Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon said exposure to smoke from the haze may cause difficulty breathing, chest pain, itchy nose, and coughing due to irritation of the respiratory tract.

She warned that the condition could be more serious for people with existing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, heart disease, and other respiratory illnesses, as exposure to smoke may aggravate their conditions.

Colmenares-Quiñon said severe cases could develop complications such as pneumonia, while people with COPD or other existing respiratory conditions may experience an exacerbation of their symptoms.

With the southwest monsoon (habagat) contributing to the movement of air in the region, Colmenares-Quiñon advised residents, particularly children and older people, to stay indoors as much as possible while haze persists.

She also urged households to keep their doors and windows closed to prevent haze from entering their homes.

“If available, residents may use slightly damp cloth or curtains to help trap dust particles,” she added.

For those who need to go outdoors, Colmenares-Quiñon recommended using a well-fitting N95 respirator, similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Motorists were likewise urged to exercise extra caution because haze can reduce visibility on roads.

Colmenares-Quiñon advised drivers to use their headlights and fog lights when visibility is poor.

The IPHO has also checked its available supply of masks and may provide them to residents who need them.

The public was meanwhile urged to monitor official advisories on air quality and weather conditions.

Those experiencing difficulty breathing, chest pain, or persistent coughing should seek medical attention.

The PDRRMO continues to monitor the situation in the affected areas.