01/09/2026
WEAR FACE MASK EVERYONE!
Metro Manila air quality has deteriorated to "Very Unhealthy" and "Acutely Unhealthy" levels today, September 1, 2026, due to transboundary haze. An unusual wind pattern has carried heavy smoke from active forest fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, across the equator and straight into the National Capital Region.
Local government units have responded immediately, with Quezon City suspending face-to-face classes in all public schools and major institutions
According to monitoring from the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) has spiked dangerously across the metro.
| Area / City | AQI Level | Health Classification |
| Parañaque 270 | Acutely Unhealthy
| Las Piñas 205 | Acutely Unhealthy
| Manila 198 | Very Unhealthy |
| Malabon186 | Very Unhealthy |
| Valenzuela 179 | Very Unhealthy |
| Quezon City 179 | Very Unhealthy |
| Taguig 176 | Very Unhealthy |
| Marikina 175 | Very Unhealthy |
| San Juan 173 | Very Unhealthy |
| Muntinlupa 171 | Very Unhealthy |
| Pasay | 168 | Very Unhealthy |
Medical and local experts advise the public to take immediate defensive health measures:
* Stay Indoors: Avoid any unnecessary outdoor activities or trips. Keep windows closed to block out the haze.
* Wear Face Masks:
If you must go outside, wear a well-fitted mask (preferably an N95 or equivalent) to filter out particulate matter.
* Vulnerable Groups Alert: Children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and individuals with asthma, heart disease, or respiratory illnesses are highly susceptible and should refrain from outdoor exposure entirely.
* Emergency Contacts:
If you are experiencing severe breathing difficulties, contact emergency services. Quezon City residents can directly reach out via Helpline 122.
