Very Unhealthy Air Reported in Metro Manila

Parts of Metro Manila recorded “very unhealthy” air quality on Sept. 30, with elevated PM2.5 levels linked by Philippine authorities to transboundary haze possibly carried from fires in Indonesia, alongside local pollution sources. Other areas had air quality classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups, while Manila monitoring stations ranged from “fair” to unhealthy for sensitive groups. Authorities advised residents—especially children, older adults, pregnant women and people with respiratory or heart conditions—to limit prolonged outdoor activity and use N95-equivalent masks where haze is present.