Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Tuesday, Sept. 1, urged Manileños to wear masks and stay indoors as air quality in the city deteriorated amid haze reportedly linked to forest and land fires in Indonesia.

In his “Talk to the People” broadcast via Facebook, Domagoso said three of the city government’s five air quality monitoring stations recorded “Very Unhealthy” Air Quality Index (AQI) levels as of 6 a.m.

These were the stations at Puregold Tayuman, Anda Circle, and San Sebastian Residences.

The two other stations, located at Sta. Ana Hospital and Rajah Sulayman Park, recorded AQI levels classified as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.”

Domagoso urged Manileños, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions, senior citizens, pregnant women, and students, to wear masks whenever they go outdoors.

He strongly recommended doubling up on masks because of the severity of the air pollution.

“Importanteng-importante na gumamit tayo ng mask, at hangga't maaari, ito ay doblehin ninyo dahil hindi po maganda ang hangin na ating malalanghap sa mga darating na oras (It is very important to use a mask, and as much as possible, double it because the air we will breathe in the coming hours is not good),” he said.

The mayor also advised residents without urgent outdoor activities to stay indoors and keep their windows closed to limit their exposure to polluted air.

He said those with pre-existing health conditions should take extra precautions as poor air quality could affect their respiratory systems.

The city government said the air quality readings were consistent with data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB).

The DENR-EMB’s real-time monitoring station at Mehan Garden in Manila recorded an AQI of 231, classified as “Acutely Unhealthy.”

Domagoso said the haze was linked to forest and land fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra, Indonesia, with prevailing winds carrying smoke toward the Philippines.

He also assured residents that the Manila Health Department (MHD) and the city’s seven district hospitals were on alert for a possible increase in patients affected by the poor air quality.

“Rest assured that the Manila Health Department and our hospitals are on alert. Inaabangan na namin, baka magkaroon ng bulusok o biglang pagdami ng mga pasyenteng maaaring naapektuhan nitong masamang hangin (Rest assured that the Manila Health Department and our hospitals are on alert. We are anticipating that there could be a sudden increase in patients who may be affected by this poor air quality),” he said.

Domagoso noted that the deteriorating air quality adds to the city’s existing public health concerns, including a surge in leptospirosis cases following monsoon rains.

He directed the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (MCDRRMD) and the Department of Environment and Public Services (DEPS) to continue monitoring air quality and wind conditions and provide updates to the public.

He urged Manileños and those visiting the city to take additional precautions against the deteriorating air quality.

“Daig ng maagap ang masipag. Hinihikayat ko po ang lahat ng mamamayan sa Lungsod ng Maynila, at ang mga taong dumadako dito, na magbigay ng additional protection sa inyong sarili (It is better to be prepared than simply work hard. I urge all residents of Manila, as well as those who come here, to provide additional protection for yourselves),” he said.