MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday afternoon declared that the Philippines is free from haze originating from the Indonesian forest fires.
“We are clear from haze coming from Indonesia,” PAGASA Officer-In-Charge Espie Cayanan said.
The weather bureau reported that the haze will unlikely return unless a large-scale weather system will develop in the Philippine Area of Responsibility and due to locally induced pollution.
According to PAGASA, the haze was brought to the Philippines by Typhoon Lando.
“Hindi na inaasahang manunumbalik ang haze mula sa Indonesia,” Department of Science and Technology Assistant Secretary Raymund Liboro said.
“If there will be haze, it's from our local activities such as due to pollution from vehicles,” Cayanan said.
Cayanan clarified that the light to moderate haze in Metro Manila did not come from Indonesia. However, areas as far as Cebu were reported to have been affected by the haze from the Southeast Asian neighbor.
The weather bureau assured the public that only northeasterlies and easterlies will affect the country so the haze is unlikely to return.
“Sa kasalukuyan, umiiral ang Amihan. Walang bagong sama ng panahon na nakikita na papasok sa bansa,” Liboro said.