THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued a second haze monitoring advisory Wednesday, September 25, informing the public that the presence of haze is still observed in Cagayan de Oro and nearby provinces.

As of September 25, DENR-Environmental Management Bureau officer Engineer Florencio Dominguez Jr., said visual observation of the skies remain hazy, slightly obstructing visibility.

The ambient air quality monitoring for particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) showed a fluctuating concentration of the harmful particle.

From the 55 micrograms per normal cubic meter last September 16 to 17, the PM 2.5 result went down to 44 per normal cubic meter in September 17-18. However, the result increased again to 52 per normal cubic meter in September 18 to 19, which slightly exceeded the guideline value set at 50 per normal cubic meter.

Subsequent daily air quality monitoring conducted from September 19 to 20, 20 to 21, 21 to 22, 22 to 13 registered PM 2.5 concentration of 37, 38, 44, and 18 per normal cubic meter, which is well within the guideline value.

However, Dominguez said the haze is expected to linger for days or weeks depending on the weather condition and wind direction.

The DENR advised individuals with sensitive respiratory health conditions and disease like asthma should limit outdoor exposure.

“The public is discouraged from engaging in all open-burning activities such as sanitation siga in the late afternoon,” he said.

Local government units are reminded to monitor and ban all open-burning activities and mobilize health care units.