
The hazy skies observed over Metro Manila on Monday, April 28, were due to fires that broke out at a landfill in Montalban, Rizal, and at a warehouse in Commonwealth, Quezon City, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) said.
“Based on the real-time air quality measurements conducted by the EMB DENR, the hazy skies observed over Metro Manila on 28 April 2025 may be attributed to (1) the fire that broke out at the Sanitary Landfill located in Montalban, Rizal, and (2) the warehouse fire in Commonwealth, Quezon City,” the DENR-EMB said in a statement.
The bureau said that particulate matter concentrations, specifically PM10 and PM2.5, “peaked between 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. but have reduced to within the guideline values by 9 a.m.”
PM10 refers to particulate matter that is 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller, while PM2.5 refers to finer particles that are 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller.
Such particles can be inhaled and may cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems when exposure is high.
The DENR-EMB explained that air quality readings “vary in time and place and can change at any time depending on pollution sources and meteorological factors.”
The agency assured the public that it “will continue to monitor air quality.”