MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) is advising residents near the Navotas Sanitary Landfill fire to stay indoors and use proper protective masks amid hazardous smoke and fine particulate pollution.
DOH Undersecretary Albert Domingo said while authorities aim to fully extinguish the fire by late April, immediate protective measures are necessary for those living near the affected area.
He urged residents to avoid the site if possible and to keep doors and windows closed during periods of poor air quality as reported by local government units.
Domingo warned that standard surgical masks may not adequately protect against PM2.5 particles. He recommended N95 or KN95 masks for individuals who must go outside.
He also stressed that fine particulate matter can worsen heart conditions and trigger respiratory attacks in people with asthma and other lung diseases. Vulnerable groups such as children, seniors, and those with health conditions were urged to monitor air quality alerts closely.
Once AQI levels reach “yellow” or higher, at-risk individuals are advised to stay in cleaner environments.
The DOH also reported haze-related concerns in parts of Metro Cebu, noting that prolonged exposure to PM2.5 can aggravate existing illnesses.
In Obando, Bulacan, where evacuation is challenging, medical teams have been deployed to provide on-site assistance, including a mobile hospital set up near evacuation areas.
Authorities continue efforts to contain the Navotas landfill fire, though officials said the scale of the site remains a major challenge.
ia/xf
