The Department of Health (DOH) advised the public on Tuesday to wear N95 face masks and restrict outdoor activities after smoke and haze from ongoing forest fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, drifted across parts of Luzon and Visayas.
In an official advisory, the DOH explained that haze consists of air pollutants blended with fine ash, dust, and smoke.
The airborne hazardous material was transported into Philippine territory by the prevailing Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), presenting serious health hazards.
“Maaaring magdulot ang haze ng hirap sa paghinga, pag-ubo, pananakit ng dibdib, pangangati o pagluluha ng mga mata, at paglala ng mga sakit sa baga tulad ng hika,” the DOH stated.
“Dobleng pag-iingat ang kailangan para sa mga bata, matatanda, at mga may dati nang sakit sa baga o puso,” the health department added.
To lower health risks, authorities recommended remaining indoors whenever possible and putting on an N95 mask when venturing outside. Residents were further instructed to seal window and door openings with damp rags to block intrusive haze.
Drivers traveling at night or through low-visibility areas were urged to activate their fog lights or headlights.
The health warning comes as air quality metrics in several Metro Manila cities plummeted to “very unhealthy” and “acutely unhealthy” levels on Tuesday due to the wildfire emissions coming from Indonesia.