By Alexander D. Lopez
DAVAO CITY – Air quality in parts of the Davao Region deteriorated on Tuesday due to increased concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM) attributed to transboundary haze from forest fires in Indonesia, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau in Davao Region (DENR-EMB-11) reported.
In its air quality bulletin issued at 7 a.m. on Oct. 13, the agency said the monitoring stations in Calinan District here and Digos City registered “unhealthy for sensitive groups” air quality levels for PM2.5, with Air Quality Index (AQI) readings of 149.5 and 100.5, respectively.
The monitoring station in Malita, Davao Occidental, recorded a “very unhealthy” PM2.5 reading with an AQI value of 188.5.
For PM10, the Digos station recorded “good” air quality with an AQI of 50, while Calinan and Malita posted “fair” air quality levels with AQI readings of 75 and 55.5, respectively.
DENR-EMB-11 said the rise in PM2.5 concentrations during the monitoring period may be linked to the ongoing transboundary haze event originating from Kalimantan and South Papua in Indonesia.
The agency noted that the elevated PM2.5 levels resulted in “unhealthy for sensitive groups” and “very unhealthy” air quality classifications, deviating from the usual air quality trends observed in the affected stations.
Based on forecasts from the Copernicus Fire Emission Watch and Zoom Earth Wind Direction, smoke from active forest fires in South Papua and Kalimantan is expected to continue affecting the Philippines through transboundary transport.
Prevailing winds may carry smoke toward Mindanao, potentially causing further increases in PM2.5 concentrations, haze formation and reduced visibility in some areas of the Davao Region.
DENR-EMB-11 said the extent and duration of the impact will depend on wind conditions, atmospheric dispersion, rainfall and the continued occurrence of forest fires in the affected areas of Indonesia.
“Residents in Calinan and Digos, particularly children, older adults, and other sensitive individuals, should take precautions as the air quality may cause discomfort and adverse health effects,” the agency added.
In Malita, DENR-EMB-11 urged residents, especially those with heart and respiratory illnesses such as asthma, to remain indoors and limit physical activities.
The agency also advised the public to postpone non-essential travel and reduce vehicle use whenever possible to help minimize pollution and traffic congestion.
“DENR-EMB-11 continuously monitors ambient air quality across the region and issues updates and advisories as necessary to protect public health and safety,” the bulletin further read. (PNA)
HAZE ALERT. Air quality in parts of the Davao Region deteriorated on Tuesday (Oct. 13, 2026) due to increased concentrations of fine particulate matter attributed to transboundary haze from forest fires in Indonesia. The Malita monitoring station in Davao Occidental recorded a “very unhealthy” PM2.5 reading with an Air Quality Index value of 188.5.
