IN PHOTOS: Indonesia forest fire haze reaches the Philippines
HAZE. Haze seen from the North Reclamation Area in Cebu City. Photo by Ryan Macasero/Rappler
CEBU CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – Haze from the forest fires burning in the islands of Sumatra and Borneo in Indonesia has reached the Philippines. (READ: Indonesia haze reaches Cebu)
Carried by the southwest monsoon winds, residents reported seeing haze hovering over provinces in the central and southern Philippines last week.
The Environmental Management Bureau in the Central Visayas already issued a warning on Wednesday, September 18, for residents of Metro Cebu in particular to avoid going outside or to wear protective masks during peak hours due to unsafe levels of PM2.5 particulates in the atmosphere.
The particularly high harmful air pollutants in Metro Cebu were caused by the toxic haze from Indonesia and the local urban pollution.
Residents were told stay indoors or to use protective N95 masks during "peak hours" or times when pollution was above healthy levels. (READ: Indonesia haze: Cebu residents urged to stay indoors or wear masks during peak hours)
This is how the haze looked like in different parts of the country:
Cebu
FROM ABOVE. Haze covering Metro Cebu seen from above. Photo by Andrew Sarmiento
Siquijor
SIQUIJOR ISLAND. Haze seen from the top of a hill in Siquijor Island in the Central Visayas. Photo contributed by Nicole Lorraine
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
THICK. Thick haze is seen at the Puerto Princesa International Airport. Photo by Keith Anthony Fabro/Rappler
Iloilo City
SMOKY. Light haze seen from Iloilo City. Photo contributed by Daryl Lasafin
Baybay, Leyte
UNIVERSITY. Haze seen settling over the hills near Visayas State University in Baybay, Leyte. Photo by Jed Cortes/Amaranth
Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental
SUNRISE. Haze seen over the horizon by the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental. Photo contributed by Thysz Estrada
Bukidnon
NOT FOG. Residents of Bukidnon province noticed the particles in the air wasn't the usual fog. Photo contributed Lyle Justin Almeda Egay
– Rappler.com
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story called the EMB the "Environmental Management Board." It is the "Environmental Management Bureau." This has been corrected
