World · Philippines Bureau
Occidental Mindoro issues health alert as haze blankets province
Thick haze blanketing Occidental Mindoro has prompted provincial health authorities to advise residents to curtail outdoor activities. Officials have linked the air quality deterioration to large-scale forest and land fires burning across Indonesia.
LSN Philippines ·
CALAPAN CITY — Health authorities in Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday issued an advisory urging residents to minimize time spent outdoors following the arrival of thick haze across multiple areas of the province.
The Provincial Information Office attributed the poor air quality to widespread forest and land fires in Indonesia, particularly in the regions of Sumatra and Kalimantan. The transboundary haze has periodically affected air quality across the Philippines and neighboring countries in Southeast Asia.
Residents, particularly those with respiratory conditions, elderly persons, and young children, have been advised to take precautions to reduce exposure to the haze. Health officials recommended limiting strenuous outdoor activities and using appropriate protective equipment when venturing outside.
The provincial government said it would continue monitoring air quality conditions and issue updated advisories as the situation develops. Authorities have not yet announced specific air quality index readings or projected duration of the haze.