Haze envelops the skyline as seen from Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on April 13, 2026, attributed to the Navotas sanitary landfill fire reported over the weekend. The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) issued a health advisory on Saturday urging the public to stay indoors or wear N95 masks to protect themselves from potentially harmful air pollutants triggered by the incident. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA (UPDATE) — Public school classes in Quezon City have been suspended, while local authorities in Caloocan City are urging residents to take health precautions following a decline in air quality across parts of Metro Manila on Tuesday, September 1.
Under Local Government Memorandum Circular No. 3, s. 2025, Quezon City suspended face-to-face classes today in all public educational institutions, covering Child Development Centers, Kindergarten, Grades 1 to 12, and the Alternative Learning System (ALS).
Suspensions in private schools and higher education institutions remain at the discretion of their respective school administrations.
The move follows data from Quezon City’s network of 68 air quality sensors, which registered "Very Unhealthy" and "Acutely Unhealthy" Air Quality Index (AQI) levels.
Authorities noted that the rising pollution across the National Capital Region and other parts of the country is possibly linked to smoke or haze originating from ongoing fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Health officials warned that high pollution levels can trigger respiratory issues, including "ubo, pangangati ng airways, at hirap sa paghinga," with heightened risk for individuals diagnosed with asthma or existing lung conditions.
Residents are advised to wear face masks, minimize outdoor physical exertion, and monitor further official announcements.
WEAR PROTECTIVE FACE MASKS
In neighboring Caloocan City, Mayor Along Malapitan advised residents to wear protective face masks outdoors after local monitoring reflected similar air quality degradation, which he also noted may be linked to the haze from land and forest fires in Kalimantan.
Malapitan urged high-risk populations—specifically children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and people with heart or respiratory conditions—to limit outdoor exposure or remain indoors.
On the ground, residents—particularly senior citizens—are already taking strict precautions against the deteriorating air quality.
Ma. Socorro Raquel Sison, 62, wore a face mask on her way to work, pointing out that her age makes her particularly vulnerable to the heavy air. "Kailangan ko po talaga kasi senior na po ako," Sison said.
She also urged the younger generation to protect themselves: "Sa ating mga kabataan, kailangan mag-face mask na kayo. Iba na ngayon ang panahon, may edad na po kami... kailangan may face mask na po kayo."
Other commuters reflected a similar reliance on face masks to shield themselves during daily travel.
Eduardo Vitantes, 70, who was also masked on his way to work, cited the density of daily commutes as his primary reason for staying protected.
"Pagkaalis ko sa bahay kasi… nagsusuot talaga ako… Sa biyahe kasi maraming kahalubilo kaya nagsusuot talaga ako ng face mask," Vitantes said.
Local government units continue to monitor sensor readings across the region and advise the public to prioritize safety measures until air quality levels improve.
ANTIPOLO AIR QUALITY
Meanwhile, a thick blanket of haze enveloped Antipolo City on Tuesday morning, obscuring the view of the Metro Manila skyline and prompting local residents and commuters to wear protective face masks.
The visible deterioration of air quality in the elevated city comes as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) closely monitors Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and the National Capital Region (NCR), where cities like Quezon City have registered "unhealthy" to "very unhealthy" Air Quality Index levels.
Environmental authorities noted that the atmospheric condition is likely driven by smoke and transboundary haze from active forest fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, carried into the country by prevailing wind patterns.
On the ground in Antipolo and neighboring transit points, commuters turned to face masks to guard against respiratory risks.
"With face masks, ma-e-ensure natin 'yung sarili natin na protected tayo and at the same time 'yung family din po natin," said nurse Rei Torres on her morning commute.
Jeepney passenger Karen Dumangas shared a similar health concern while traveling: "Anti-smoke, anti-pollution, [for] health concerns din. Usual kasi sa akin nag-i-itchy throat."
Other commuters, including employee Arvie Fedelino, highlighted the protective routine. "Much better talaga na maging kaugalian natin mag-face mask para more on prevention," Fedelino said.
A group of local seminarians also masked up as they navigated the heavy air.
"Ang dumi na ng hangin, ang hirap huminga 'pag napapalibutan ng maruming hangin," seminarian Earl Boy observed.
"Please lang, magsuot po tayo ng face mask, lalong-lalo na ngayon na kitang-kita na po natin kung paano nagkakasakit ang mga tao dahil sa maruming hangin," his companion, Franco Baldoza, appealed.
The DENR-EMB maintains continuous tracking across its regional air monitoring network to gauge the concentration levels and potential public health impacts.
Health officials and authorities advise the public to wear face masks outdoors and limit unnecessary open-air exposure or travel while elevated haze conditions persist.
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