EMB tells Bohol: haze unconfirmed yet, wear mask as caution

By Bohol Island News Staff | 06:37 PM September 18, 2019

Residents along the coastal barangays of Tagbilaran City facing Dauis and Maribojoc towns have already observed signs of haze.

Maimai Zapanta, a resident of Barangay Manga in Tagbilaran City, said she noticed the Maribojoc mountain has not been clearly visible since Saturday, September 14.

“Clear man gud na kaayo basta okay ang panahon,” she said.

However, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Central Visayas confirmed haze in Cebu, while no word yet in neighboring provinces like Bohol.

But based on the satellite image from DENR Central Office, the whole Central Visayas, Bohol included, is affected by haze caused by the forest fire in Indonesia and enhanced by Hanging Habagat.

Environment authorities have yet to conduct a thorough assessment in Bohol to verify such phenomenon.

In its advisory on Wednesday, September 18, haze caused by forest fires can cause air pollution, which can bring about health risks for respiratory tract infections and cardiac ailments.

EMB-7 encouraged “the public to take safety measures and wear personal protective equipments (PPEs) such as dust mask or eye goggles to protect yourself from air pollutants.”