MANILA, Philippines (ANN/PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER) – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology (PHIVOLCS) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Friday confirmed the smog seen in Metro Manila is not because of Taal.
PHIVOLCS clarified to reporters that the volcanic smog it detected from Taal Volcano is drifting west-southwest and, hence, is not going toward Metro Manila.
“The smog (in Metro Manila) is not related to (the) Taal Volcano. Instead, the volcanic smog was over areas on the western side of Taal Volcano,” PHIVOLCS said.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Philippine Daily Inquirer, the DENR also said that based on the direction of air, the smog being experienced in parts of Metro Manila is not because of the Taal Volcano.
“No, if we base it on the movement of the wind, no,” a DENR representative who refused to be named said when asked if Taal Volcano is causing the smog in Metro Manila.
Despite this, the air quality monitoring data from the DENR indicates that certain areas within Metro Manila are currently encountering poor air quality, particularly in the cities of Parañaque, Pateros, and Makati.
“It may be inferred that the smog may be primarily attributed to emissions from heavy vehicular traffic, especially during rush hour. Air quality varies in time and places and can change anytime depending on pollution sources and meteorological factors,” the DENR said.
Air quality in Pateros and Makati is currently classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” prompting the DENR to warn people with respiratory diseases to limit going outdoors.
Parañaque, on the other hand, has “acutely unhealthy air quality,” and residents are warned to limit outdoor activities, while those with heart or respiratory diseases should stay indoors as much as possible.
