Haze triggers health advisory in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental

The Environmental Management Bureau in the Negros Island Region (EMB-NIR) classified air quality across Bacolod City and several municipalities in Negros Occidental as "unhealthy for sensitive groups" as of midday Thursday. The downgrade in air quality prompted warnings from regional environmental officials urging vulnerable populations to take protective measures.

People with pre-existing respiratory conditions, including asthma and chronic bronchitis, were advised to minimize outdoor exposure and consider wearing protective masks when venturing outside. Children, elderly residents, and individuals with cardiovascular illnesses were similarly cautioned to reduce physical activities in open air during the period of poor air quality.

The EMB-NIR recommended that residents monitor daily air quality updates and adjust their activities accordingly. The advisory underscores ongoing air pollution challenges in the region, which periodically experience degraded air quality from various sources including agricultural burning and industrial emissions.

Authorities have not yet announced specific measures to address the air quality decline or provided a timeline for when conditions are expected to improve. Residents are encouraged to stay indoors during peak pollution hours and maintain adequate ventilation in enclosed spaces.