Senator Loren Legarda has urged authorities to strictly implement the Clean Air Act after reports Metro Manila’s air quality had reached “very unhealthy” levels following New Year’s Day celebrations.

“Excessive fireworks celebrations across Metro Manila pose lots of risks, not only the safety of external body parts, but also to the lungs and nose because of the excessive amount of smoke released by burning gunpowder,” said Legarda, a known climate change advocate.

“The Clean Air Act mandates the State to assure that the air we breathe in is safe, and is devoid of impurities that might pollute our respiratory systems,” she stressed.

Based on reports, Metro Manila tallied the worst alarming level of air pollution among National Capital Region (NCR) local government units with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 218.

Such category is already deemed “very unhealthy,” per data from IQAir.

Makati had the next highest AQI count with 166, Taguig with 159, and Parañaque with 153, qualifying under the “unhealthy” category.

Meanwhile, Pasig (134) and Marikina (118), were registered as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” as residents in all aforementioned areas were advised to stay indoors and wear face masks.

The senator lamented that the government had been mandated to regulate carbon emissions when the Clean Air Act was enacted into law,

But until now, “not much has been done in curtailing the increased pollution during the turn of the calendar.”

“We should strictly implement the banning of illegal fireworks, and curb pollution by minimizing fireworks displays in specific areas assigned by local government units to help avoid any untoward injuries or damage to properties sustained in fires caused by wayward projectiles,” said Legarda, author and co-sponsor of the law.

The lawmaker also urged the government to activate air quality monitoring stations which could provide real-time updates to residents needing them to make informed decisions.

Legarda urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to establish these data centers especially in Metro Manila.

“As online resources are readily available at our disposal, I call on the DENR to establish data centers as air quality is just as important as typhoon updates provided by PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration),” she said.