Haze hits Bulacan coastal villages

OBANDO, Bulacan , Philippines  ­– Smoke emanating from a burning sanitary landfill in Navotas City has affected several coastal villages in Obando, Bulacan, prompting the evacuation of some residents.

The municipal disaster risk reduction and management office (MDRRMO) reported that as of noon yesterday, portions of the burning landfill were still emitting smoke, causing haze in nearby villages.

The MDRRMO said that a haze alert has been raised in affected villages, with officials expressing alarm about the health of residents, children, pregnant women and the elderly as well as those with heart and lung conditions.

Authorities reminded residents to avoid staying outdoors and wear N95 face masks if they needed to go outside.

Residents have been advised to drink plenty of water and seek medical attention should they experience difficulty in breathing, chest pains and coughing.

The local government has continued distributing face masks to affected families.

The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, reported that as of 9 a.m. yesterday, unhealthy air quality indeces were recorded within the five-kilometer radius of Valenzuela, Marilao, Meycauayan and Obando.

The EMB said that the air quality index level for particulate matter 2.5 in these areas was at 47.5 micrograms per cubic meter.

The figure is almost twice the fair level of 25.1 micrograms per cubic meter.