By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued a haze warning for the Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental, between Tuesday and yesterday. Based on information provided by the weather bureau, the haze was caused by ongoing forest fires in Indonesia, which affected most of the Visayas and Mindanao, along with portions of Mindoro and Palawan.
PAGASA warned shipping and aircraft traveling through affected areas as the haze will likely cause low horizontal visibility, especially during evening hours.
Health officials, meanwhile, have expressed concern that the haze will cause a spike in the number of lung-related diseases and advised the public to wear masks when going outside.
Air quality monitoring for Bacolod City and Iloilo City is currently forecasted at “Moderate” levels, which are considered acceptable; however, people who are unusually sensitive to ozone may experience respiratory symptoms.
PAGASA further added, the haze will likely continue to affect the Western Visayas due to the southwesterly winds caused by Tropical Depression “Nimfa,” which is currently churning 685 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes.
The forest fires in Borneo and Sumatra have also affected other countries including Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore.
In a report by Singapore-based news outlet Channel News Asia, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said they are “doing everything” to put out the forest fires.
Indonesian police have also reportedly rounded up around 200 people suspected of involved in activities that led to the fires.
The forest fires have also sparked protests from students and environmentalists in Indonesia, who are demanding the government to do more in stopping the blaze./DGB, WDJ