Metro air quality improves

ThE air quality in some areas of Metro Manila significantly improved after the government implemented the enhanced community quarantine over Luzon to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said.

Data from the Air Quality Information System of the Environment Management Bureau showed a significant drop in the concentration of particulate matter (PM), based on results gathered from air monitoring stations in the cities of Las Piñas, Marikina, Muntinlupa and Parañaque.

On Sunday, March 22, the 24-hour average level of PM 10 (dust) in Las Piñas and Marikina went down, respectively, to 31.67 and 27.21 micrograms per normal cubic meter (ug/Ncm) from a high 57.81 ug/Ncm and 31.28 about two weeks earlier.

The acceptable threshold standard level of PM 10 is 60 ug/Ncm.

In Muntinlupa and Parañaque, PM 2.5 levels were recorded at 10.78 and 14.29 ug/Ncm, respectively, lower than the 28.75 and 27.23 ug/Ncm on March 10, 2020.

“This explains why our sky now is clear and looks clean,” Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has brought to the fore on a global scale the realization that a country’s economic and sociopolitical pillars are underpinned by healthy environment,” he added.

Meanwhille, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said the sudden stop of activities in many countries “allows the earth to heal from environmental degradation.”

“The major cause of climate change, air pollution, due mainly by mass transport energy emissions, is being abated,” he added.