Indonesia haze blurs Metro Manila, could linger all week — EMB

Buildings and residential homes are nearly invisible as thick haze blankets Quezon City and obscures parts of the Metro Manila skyline on Tuesday morning, September 1, 2026. (Photo by Edd Castro)

Several Metro Manila mayors on Tuesday urged residents to wear masks and limit outdoor activities as haze from forest and land fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, pushed air quality in much of the National Capital Region to unhealthy levels.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) said the transboundary haze, carried by prevailing winds associated with the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” was affecting Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Mimaropa.

The bureau said 10 Metro Manila cities—Quezon City, Manila, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Pasay, San Juan, Taguig and Valenzuela—registered “very unhealthy” AQI (air quality index) levels, while Las Piñas and Parañaque were classified as “acutely unhealthy.”

The haze could linger through Sept. 3, according to Jundy del Socorro, chief of the DENR-EMB’s Environmental Quality Management Division.

He said smoke from Kalimantan was still being transported by the prevailing southwest monsoon while fires remained active.

Del Socorro said widespread rains and shifting wind patterns could gradually improve air quality from Sept. 4 to 6, although there was no official forecast confirming the extent or timing of such improvement.

He said rain could help wash smoke particles and PM2.5 from the atmosphere, improving visibility and reducing haze concentrations.

Beyond Sept. 6, conditions would depend on whether the Kalimantan fires continued to generate smoke, whether new hotspots emerged and whether winds continued to carry smoke toward the Philippines, he added.

Firefighters attempt to extinguish a wildfire by spraying water and creating boundary trenches to prevent the flames from spreading in the Tumbang Nusa area of Pulang Pisau, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia on August 30, 2026. (Photo by REINA / AFP) 

Del Socorro said a wet habagat would generally benefit air quality by removing suspended particulate matter, while drier monsoon conditions could allow smoke to travel farther and linger longer.

OCD: Minimize time outdoors

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) likewise advised the public to minimize prolonged outdoor exposure, particularly in areas where haze is visibly present.

OCD Deputy Administrator for Administration Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said smoke from the ongoing fires in Indonesia may have been transported toward the Philippines by prevailing winds.

He urged the public to minimize prolonged outdoor activities, especially in areas visibly affected by the haze, and advised those who need to go outside to wear a well-fitting N95 or equivalent mask.

The OCD also recommended staying indoors as much as possible, keeping doors and windows closed, and using damp cloths to cover gaps where haze could enter.

Motorists were advised to use headlights or fog lights when traveling at night or in areas with poor visibility.

Alejandro warned that exposure to haze could cause breathing difficulties, coughing, chest pain, watery eyes and nasal irritation, and could worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma.

DOH: Haze could trigger respiratory distress

The Department of Health (DOH) separately warned that smoke and fine particulate matter from the haze could trigger respiratory distress, coughing, chest pain, eye irritation and worsening lung conditions.

Children, older persons and people with pre-existing heart or lung conditions were identified as particularly vulnerable.

The DOH advised residents to check local air quality reports, remain indoors as much as possible while the haze persists, and wear N95 masks when going outside. Those without N95 masks may use a damp cloth over the nose and mouth or double-mask with standard face masks.

A woman is seen wearing a face mask while walking the streets of Manila amid poor air quality in the city on September 1, 2026. (Courtesy: Manila Public Information Office) 

The agency also advised people exposed to the haze to stay hydrated and rinse irritated eyes with clean water or saline solution rather than rubbing them.

Latest monitoring data showed “very unhealthy” air quality across much of Metro Manila, driven by high concentrations of PM2.5 fine particulate matter.

Parañaque’s Don Bosco area and Las Piñas recorded “acutely unhealthy” AQI readings of 270 and 205, respectively, while Manila, Malabon, Valenzuela, Quezon City and several other cities also posted elevated readings.

Isko: Health facilities on alert

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso warned residents of rapidly deteriorating air quality and assured them that the Manila Health Department and city hospitals remained on alert.

He said the city was closely monitoring the situation in case the poor air quality resulted in a sudden increase in patients.

Three monitoring stations at Puregold Tayuman, Anda Circle and San Sebastian Residences recorded “very unhealthy” AQI levels, while stations at Sta. Ana Hospital and Rajah Sulayman Park registered “unhealthy for sensitive groups” readings.

The DENR-EMB’s real-time monitoring station at Mehan Garden in Manila recorded an AQI of 231, classified as “acutely unhealthy.”

Domagoso directed the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department and the Department of Environment and Public Services to continue monitoring wind trajectories and air quality and provide updates to the public.

Classes in QC suspended

The Quezon City government suspended onsite classes for Child Development Centers, kindergarten, Grades 1 to 12 and the Alternative Learning System in public schools Tuesday because of poor air quality.

Private schools and higher education institutions were left to decide whether to suspend classes, although they were encouraged to adopt national or localized measures to protect students and teachers.

Quezon City also reported “very unhealthy” and “acutely unhealthy” AQI readings in parts of the city and has at least 68 air quality sensors deployed throughout the city.

Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval urged residents to remain indoors when necessary or wear face masks when going outside.

She said the city was continuously monitoring air quality and issuing advisories, particularly for children, senior citizens, pregnant women and people with asthma and heart conditions.

— Pot Chavez, Rio N. Araja, Rex Espiritu & Ram Superable