Digos, Calinan Air Quality Worsens as Indonesian Haze Reaches Davao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Residents in parts of Davao Region are being urged to take precautions as fine-particle pollution linked to haze from Indonesian forest fires pushed PM2.5 readings to “Very Unhealthy” levels at monitoring stations in Digos and Calinan.

The latest update from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Davao showed that conditions varied depending on the type of particulate matter being measured.

For PM10, Digos recorded “Fair” air quality while Calinan was classified as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.”

But both monitoring stations recorded “Very Unhealthy” levels for PM2.5, the finer particles that can penetrate deeper into the respiratory system.

Indonesian haze blamed for rising pollution

Environmental officials attributed the increase in PM2.5 concentrations to the continuing transboundary haze originating from forest fires in Indonesia, particularly fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra.

Smoke from the fires has been transported toward the Philippines by prevailing winds associated with the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, affecting portions of Mindanao and other areas of the country.

The deterioration in Davao's air quality follows earlier monitoring that showed more limited pollution.

As of September 1, Digos and Calinan had generally recorded Fair conditions, although Calinan had already experienced periods classified as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups because of elevated PM2.5.

What “Very Unhealthy” PM2.5 means

PM2.5 refers to extremely fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers or smaller.

Because of their small size, these particles can travel deep into the lungs and pose greater health concerns than larger particles.

DENR-EMB Davao Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement Division chief Miralou Blanco earlier warned that PM2.5 can aggravate respiratory conditions, particularly among people who are already vulnerable.

Children, senior citizens and people with respiratory or heart conditions are among those who need to exercise greater caution.

Health officials: Don't panic, but don't ignore the haze

The Davao City Health Office has advised vulnerable residents to limit unnecessary outdoor exposure while haze conditions persist.

District Health Physician Dr. Jeannie Marie Salmasan said residents should not panic or rush into unnecessary mask buying, but also should not become complacent about the health effects of haze.

Exposure may cause eye, nose and throat irritation and can aggravate asthma or other respiratory problems.

Residents who develop symptoms associated with the haze are encouraged to seek assessment at their nearest district or barangay health center.

N95 masks and less outdoor exposure advised

DENR-EMB officials have particularly urged members of sensitive groups to wear N95 or equivalent masks when going outside.

The agency also recommended reducing unnecessary outdoor activities during periods of poor air quality.

People with existing heart or respiratory conditions, including asthma, have been advised to stay indoors and rest as much as possible when air pollution reaches concerning levels.

For the general public, authorities have also emphasized staying hydrated and monitoring official air-quality updates as conditions can change with wind direction and atmospheric conditions.

Davao has been monitoring the haze for days

The worsening readings did not come without warning.

DENR-EMB Davao had already reported elevated PM2.5 concentrations at the Calinan monitoring station beginning August 30.

Earlier September reports also showed that Digos and Calinan were experiencing periods of degraded air quality while Malita in Davao Occidental remained comparatively better.

The agency operates several continuous air-monitoring stations across the region, including those in Calinan, Digos, Tagum and Malita.

However, the latest SunStar report noted that Digos and Calinan were the stations currently transmitting active PM2.5 data.

Officials cannot yet predict exactly how long it will last

One important limitation in the monitoring system is that DENR-EMB provides real-time air-quality information but does not issue air-quality forecasts.

Blanco said the agency can use prevailing wind direction to help understand how air pollution may disperse, but it cannot provide a precise forecast of when the haze will end.

This means conditions may continue to change depending on weather and wind patterns.

Other fires also being monitored

Environmental officials are also checking whether localized fires are contributing to particulate pollution in parts of the region.

EMB-Davao personnel collected 24-hour samples in areas including Macambol in Mati City and Pantukan in Davao de Oro.

Officials said the results would be released after the samples had been processed.

What residents can do now

With PM2.5 levels reaching very unhealthy readings at the Digos and Calinan monitoring stations, residents can take several practical precautions:

• Limit prolonged outdoor activities, especially during periods of visible haze.
• Wear an N95 or equivalent well-fitting mask when outdoor exposure is unavoidable.
• Children, seniors and people with heart or respiratory conditions should take extra precautions.
• Stay hydrated.
• Monitor official DENR-EMB and local health advisories.
• Seek medical attention if haze exposure causes significant or persistent respiratory symptoms.
• Motorists should exercise additional caution when visibility is affected by haze.

A regional problem crossing borders

The latest readings show how environmental events thousands of kilometers away can affect communities in Mindanao.

Forest and peatland fires in Indonesia have generated smoke that has crossed national borders, with atmospheric conditions carrying fine particles toward the Philippines.

For Davao residents, the issue is therefore not simply about a temporary smoky sky.

The concern is the fine particulate pollution that may accompany the haze, particularly PM2.5, which can enter deep into the respiratory system.

Davao residents urged to stay alert

The message from environmental and health officials is clear: there is no need for panic, but there is a need for caution.

Digos and Calinan are showing that air quality can deteriorate quickly as transboundary haze conditions change.

For vulnerable residents, limiting unnecessary outdoor exposure and using appropriate respiratory protection may reduce exposure while the haze continues.

And as authorities continue monitoring the skies over Davao, residents are being urged to rely on updated official readings rather than assumptions about whether the air “looks” safe.

The haze may be visible—but the most concerning particles are often the ones people cannot see.

WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D