Manila Bulletin
Philippines
Metro Manila
Air pollution in Metro Manila poses growing public health risk, experts warn
Philippines
Metro Manila
Air pollution in Metro Manila poses growing public health risk, experts warn
Air pollution in Metro Manila poses growing public health risk, experts warn
Published Aug 6, 2025 06:58 pm
From left to right: Dr. James Bernard B. Simpas, Head, Air Quality Dynamics Laboratory, Manila Observatory; Dr. Annelle Raphayette Chua, Head, Innovation Flagship Program, ACRI; Focal for Environmental Quality and Health, ASMPH; Engr. Ethel Garcia, Regional Account Manager for SEA and Oceania, Clarity Movement; Joseph Benjamin Ilagan, Director, Ateneo Business Insights Laboratory for Development (BUILD)
Health experts warn that air pollution in Metro Manila has worsened from an environmental problem into a serious public health crisis, as more than 13 million residents are regularly exposed to pollution levels that exceed global safety standards.
These invisible threats are contributing to respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases, putting lives at risk and straining communities.
The State of Global Air 2024 report, cited by the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH), identifies poor air quality as the leading environmental threat to human health, accounting for 8.1 million deaths worldwide in 2021.
Breathe Metro Manila, a coalition of technology and academic institutions specializing in air quality science, public health, and research innovation, is working directly to confront this crisis.
The group is advocating for stronger air quality monitoring and data-driven solutions to reduce health risks linked with pollution.
“Air pollution is the leading cause of disease and early death worldwide, even more than high blood pressure or smoking, and yet, we don’t have enough publicly available data to protect the populations most at risk,” said Dr. Annelle Raphayette T. Chua, head of the Innovation Flagship Program at ASMPH Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI) and Focal for Environmental Quality and Health at ASMPH.
The coalition’s goal is to expand real-time air quality monitoring, making pollution data accessible to decision-makers, healthcare providers, and the general public.
This aligns with the National Environmental Health Action Plan (NEHAP) 2030, which calls for strengthened systems that protect Filipinos’ health from environmental risks.
This approach builds on decades of research from institutions like the Manila Observatory, which emphasizes the importance of continuous, localized measurement.
“You cannot manage what you cannot measure,” said Dr. James Bernard Simpas, head of the Air Quality Dynamics Laboratory at the Manila Observatory.
“Long-term measurements illustrate the effectiveness of AQ-relevant policy decisions. Understanding the major sources of air pollution helps direct air pollution mitigation and control strategies.”
In Quezon City, Mayor Joy Belmonte recently updated the city’s class suspension protocols to consider real-time air quality as a factor.
When levels reach “Very Unhealthy” or “Emergency,” classes are automatically canceled based on sensor data from 40 active monitoring sites.
Breathe Metro Manila’s partners, who provide the infrastructure, coordination, and tools, said they needed to increase impact.
Among them is Ateneo BUILD (Business Insights Laboratory for Development), which acts as the initiative’s operational and fiduciary hub.
BUILD connects academic work with government, civic, and industry partners.
“Across Ateneo are groups with deep, world-class expertise: in environmental science, public health, innovation, and more. But to be appreciated and engaged by partners outside the university, these strengths often need a bridge. That’s where BUILD comes in,” said Joseph Benjamin R. Ilagan, director of Ateneo BUILD.
“Making air quality data public is a milestone. But more important is turning that visibility into shared decisions, and decisions into systems that improve how we protect our communities.”
Environmental sensing company Clarity is supporting the initiative through its Node-S Air Sensor, a self-powered monitor for particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide.
Clarity’s platform promotes “Air Quality Monitoring 2.0,” which emphasizes smarter measurement systems, actionable data, and cross-sector collaboration.
“Air quality data is only powerful when it’s real-time, localized, and actionable,” said Engr. Ethel Garcia, Regional Account Manager for SEA and Oceania, Clarity Movement.
“With smarter sensors and stronger partnerships, we’re helping Metro Manila turn invisible threats into visible solutions.”
Breathe Metro Manila is calling on local governments, private sector leaders, schools, and civic organizations to support ongoing efforts to improve air quality and safeguard public health.
With real-time data, coordinated action, and cross-sector collaboration, the coalition aims to transform air quality insights into policies and interventions that yield long-term impact.