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MANILA — Haze blanketed parts of Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Mimaropa on Monday, with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) saying the poor air quality may be linked to ongoing forest and land fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia.
The smoke is believed to have been carried toward the Philippines by prevailing winds, including the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, allowing haze from Indonesia to travel across parts of the region.
The DENR-EMB said it is continuously monitoring air quality through its network of monitoring stations to assess the extent and possible effects of the haze.
In Metro Manila, air quality deteriorated significantly in several areas.
Parañaque and Las Piñas were classified as having “acutely unhealthy” PM2.5 levels, while Quezon City, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Pasay, San Juan, Taguig and Valenzuela recorded “very unhealthy” levels.
Makati, Navotas and Pateros, meanwhile, were classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. Sources can include vehicle emissions, industrial activity, wildfires and biomass burning.
The Quezon City government has issued an air quality advisory, urging children, senior citizens, pregnant women and people with heart or respiratory conditions to wear face masks when going outside. Residents were also advised to remain indoors as much as possible while air quality remains poor.
Apart from Metro Manila, DENR-EMB said haze has also affected portions of Calabarzon and Mimaropa. Other parts of Luzon and the Visayas may also experience hazy conditions depending on wind direction and weather conditions.
Forest and land fires have intensified in parts of Indonesia, particularly Central and West Kalimantan, where air pollution has reached hazardous levels in some areas. Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service earlier reported significant fire activity over Borneo and noted that wildfire smoke had already spread across parts of Southeast Asia.
Exposure to high concentrations of fine particulate matter may cause eye and throat irritation and worsen breathing problems, particularly among people with asthma, heart disease and other respiratory conditions.
The public is advised to limit outdoor activity when air quality is poor, keep doors and windows closed when possible, and wear a well-fitting face mask if going outside is necessary.
Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the haze, with rainfall potentially helping reduce airborne particles and improve air quality.
MANILA — Malacañang defended the honorary Doctor of Laws degree conferred by the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. following criticism over the recognition.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the public should first understand that an honoris causa is an honorary degree and is not earned through traditional academic study, law school attendance or passing the Bar examinations.
“Ang titulong honoris causa ay isang honorary degree. Ito ay isang pagkilala o parangal para sa taong mataas ang naabot na posisyon, may mga mahahalagang naiambag sa komunidad o mga nagawa para sa bansa,” Castro said.
Marcos received PLM’s highest honorary degree during the university’s 58th commencement exercises on August 27. PLM said the recognition was given for his efforts related to the rule of law, economic development, access to education, public health services and social equity.
Castro cited several actions by the President that she said supported the conferment, including his administration’s position on the West Philippine Sea, the initiation of investigations into alleged corruption, and measures aimed at protecting the country from the effects of the crisis in the Middle East.
She also cited the government’s actions involving Filipino workers and nationals facing legal or security concerns overseas.
The Palace official also criticized those questioning the honorary degree, describing some of them as political opponents and “the usual obstructionists and destabilizers.”
“Marami kasi ang hindi nakakaunawa marahil ng katagang honoris causa,” Castro said, adding that some critics were reacting to social media posts without fully understanding the issue.
Among those who criticized the conferment was Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co, who questioned whether Marcos deserved the honorary recognition amid allegations of corruption and government shortcomings. Castro rejected the criticism and maintained that an honorary Doctor of Laws should not be equated with a law degree earned through academic study and the Bar examinations.
Marcos, for his part, said he accepted the honorary degree “with gratitude” and with awareness of the responsibility attached to the recognition.
PAMPANGA — The provincial government of Pampanga is seeking additional manpower and a sustained supply of relief goods from the national government as widespread flooding continues to affect large parts of the province.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Pampanga is among the hardest-hit areas in Central Luzon after weeks of heavy rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon and recent tropical cyclones. As of August 31, around 330 barangays across 20 local government units in the province remained flooded.
Local officials said their resources are being depleted while responders who have been conducting rescue, evacuation and relief operations for weeks are already exhausted.
OCD officials conducted an aerial inspection over Pampanga and nearby areas, including Tarlac and Bulacan, to assess the extent of the flooding and identify the immediate needs of affected communities.
During meetings with provincial and local officials, Pampanga authorities reported that even areas that were previously not prone to flooding have now been inundated.
OCD Deputy Administrator Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said one of the province’s immediate needs is additional personnel to reinforce local responders who have been continuously deployed in flooded communities.
The OCD said the national government is prepared to augment manpower and resources in Pampanga and other affected provinces to allow local emergency personnel to rest and sustain ongoing response operations.
Pampanga is also requesting additional relief supplies as local funds and available resources continue to be stretched by the prolonged flooding.
Power restoration is another concern in several communities that remain without electricity. However, authorities said restoring power remains difficult in areas where floodwaters are still high.
The prolonged flooding has also raised health concerns, particularly the possible increase in cases of influenza-like illness, dengue and leptospirosis among residents exposed to floodwaters for extended periods.
Authorities are also closely monitoring river levels and other hazards as continued rains could further worsen flooding in Central Luzon.
The OCD said it remains uncertain when floodwaters will fully subside, particularly with the Southwest Monsoon continuing to affect parts of Luzon and weather systems still being monitored near the country.
MANILA — Government offices and schools in 15 provinces in Luzon are implementing alternative work and learning arrangements on Tuesday, September 1, due to continued heavy rains brought by the enhanced Southwest Monsoon or Habagat.
The directive is contained in Memorandum Circular No. 133 issued by Malacañang upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The measure aims to reduce risks from possible flooding and traffic disruptions caused by persistent rainfall.
The order covers Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Apayao, Batanes, Nueva Vizcaya, Zambales, Tarlac, Pampanga and Bataan.
Unless otherwise directed by local chief executives, schools in the affected areas are instructed to implement alternative learning modes and learning continuity measures at all levels.
Government offices in the covered provinces are likewise directed to adopt appropriate alternative work arrangements.
However, agencies involved in the delivery of basic and health services, disaster preparedness and response, and other vital services are required to continue operations.
Contract of Service and Job Order workers placed under alternative work arrangements will continue to receive their corresponding wages or salaries, subject to existing government rules.
Meanwhile, the suspension of work or adoption of alternative work arrangements in private companies will be left to the discretion of their respective management.
“Eala mania” is making its presence felt at the US Open, with tournament organizers acknowledging the strong Filipino support surrounding Alexandra Eala.
US Open Tournament Director Eric Butorac said the tournament has embraced the growing attention around the 20-year-old Filipina, whose matches have drawn loud and energetic support from Filipino fans.
Butorac said organizers already saw that enthusiasm during Fan Week, when Eala faced American Iva Jovic in the Stars of the Open exhibition.
“We saw some of it, that crowd turned up there,” Butorac said, describing the atmosphere during the match as “electric.”
He added that Eala has also made a positive impression behind the scenes because of her willingness to interact with fans and people around the tournament.
“She’s so friendly to everyone behind the scenes. She wants to meet people, she wants to engage, she wants to do everything,” Butorac said.
The growing Filipino following also played a role in where Eala’s opening match was scheduled.
Butorac said tournament officials believed her first match needed to be held at one of the US Open’s major stadiums, leading organizers to place her at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
“We knew it had to be on a major stadium,” he said.
He added that interest in the session was already increasing, saying he looked forward to seeing Filipino fans fill the stands and support Eala.
“It’s just amazing to see. I can’t wait to have her out there, late at night, and see all the Filipino crowd behind her. It’s gonna be really special,” Butorac said.
Eala is set to open her US Open campaign against American Mary Stoiana.
The strong turnout expected for her match reflects the growing support Eala has built among Filipinos as she continues to establish herself on one of tennis’ biggest stages.
