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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Filipinos breathing cleaner air as DENR reports gains in 2024

Filipinos breathing cleaner air as DENR reports gains in 2024

Published Aug 18, 2025 04:37 pm
(MB FILE PHOTO)
(MB FILE PHOTO)
Filipinos are breathing cleaner air as the country’s air quality continued to improve in 2024, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) said.
The agency credited stricter controls on vehicle and industrial emissions as key to protecting public health.
“Based on EMB monitoring for CY 2024, the air quality in Metro Manila has shown notable improvement in terms of Particulate Matter 10 (PM10) concentration by 17.4 percent,” the DENR said in a statement.
The environment department reported that Metro Manila’s PM10 levels fell from 46 µg/ncm in 2016 to 38 µg/ncm in 2024, a decline linked to the enforcement of Euro 4 fuel and emission standards.
“Nationwide, the PM10 average also decreased by 28.2 percent from 39 µg/ncm in 2016 to 28 µg/ncm in 2024,” the DENR stated.
“These figures are well below the maximum acceptable levels under the national air quality guideline value for PM10, which is 60 µg/ncm,” it noted.
According to the DENR, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Metro Manila declined from 27 µg/ncm in 2016 to 16.86 µg/ncm in 2024, a 37.6 percent improvement.
“On a national scale, PM2.5 levels decreased from 20 µg/ ncm in 2016 to 16 µg/ ncm in 2024, reflecting the effectiveness of current emission reduction initiatives. The acceptable annual air quality guideline values for PM2.5 at 25 µg/ncm,” the agency said.
The environment department explained that particulate matter consists of very fine solid or liquid particles in the air, usually generated by vehicle emissions, burning fuels, industrial activities, roadworks, and farming.
“PM10 refers to particles 10 micrometers or smaller, while PM2.5 includes finer particles with diameters of 2.5 micrometers or less. These smaller particles pose a higher health risk because they can penetrate deeper into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream,” the agency added.
Per the DENR, 22 of the country’s 34 major and highly urbanized cities complied with safe PM10 and PM2.5 levels in 2024, representing 65 percent and topping the 62 percent goal.
The EMB said it issued 1,807 Certificates of Conformity (COC) for Euro IV-compliant vehicles between 2022 and 2024.
“These certifications ensure that new vehicles meet stringent emissions requirements before entering the market.”
The agency said Euro IV, or Euro 4, emission standards control the maximum pollutants that motor vehicles are allowed to emit, applying to light-duty and heavy-duty models.
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