By Ma. Teresa Montemayor
MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) is urging residents affected by the Navotas Sanitary Landfill fire to stay indoors and use specialized face masks to protect themselves against hazardous smoke and fine particulate matter.
DOH Undersecretary Albert Domingo noted that while local authorities aim to extinguish the blaze by the end of April, immediate personal health precautions are necessary for those living near the site.
“Habang nag-aantay tayong mangyari iyon, kung kaya po nating iwasan ang lugar, iyon ho ang best solution, ang lumayo tayo sa lugar (While we wait for that to happen, the best solution is to avoid the area if possible and maintain a safe distance from the site),” Domingo said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview Friday.
“Pero kung nakatira ho tayo doon, isara muna natin iyong ating bintana at ating mga pinto, lalo na kapag inanunsiyo ng ating LGU na iyong Air Quality Index ay pangit (However, for those residing in the area, please keep your windows and doors closed, especially once the local government unit announces that the AQI has reached unhealthy levels).”
He said that standard surgical masks may not be enough to filter out PM2.5 – tiny particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs.
He advised the public to follow local government announcements regarding the AQI provided by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“Kung hindi kayang gawin iyon or kung lalabas ay magsuot po noong N95 mask or KN95 para tayo ay hindi makalanghap noong PM2.5 na napakaliit na alikabok na pumapasok sa baga (If staying indoors is not possible or if you must go outside, please wear an N95 or KN95 mask to avoid inhaling PM2.5 microscopic particles that can get deep into the lungs),” he added.
Addressing reports of haze in Metro Cebu, Domingo warned that PM2.5 particles, which are smaller than a strand of hair, can enter the circulatory system and exacerbate pre-existing conditions.
Heart conditions may worsen and lead to additional complications if these fine particles reach the bloodstream.
Simultaneously, the haze triggers acute attacks among patients with asthma, emphysema, and other respiratory diseases.
He specifically cautioned high-risk individuals, including children, senior citizens, and those with comorbidities, to monitor color-coded AQI warnings.
Once the index hits “yellow” or higher, vulnerable groups are advised to seek cleaner air.
Regarding the situation in Obando, Bulacan, where geographic isolation complicates evacuation efforts, the DOH confirmed it has deployed medical assets to assist residents who cannot easily leave the area.
“Sa utos nga ng ating Pangulo, kung hindi makakaalis ang ating mga kababayan, kami ang lalapit sa kanila (In accordance with the President’s directive, if our fellow Filipinos cannot come to us, we will be the ones to reach out to them),” Domingo said.
He noted that the Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team from the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital has already established a mobile hospital near an evacuation center in Obando to provide immediate care for respiratory and other health concerns.
The Navotas LGU task force is currently working to expedite the fire suppression efforts across the massive landfill site, though officials admitted the scale of the area remains a challenge. (PNA)
