THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has issued a haze warning for Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental.
The haze is caused by the ongoing forest fires in Indonesia, and Pagasa said it will affect most of the Visayas and Mindanao, along with portions of Mindoro and Palawan.
Pagasa warned shipping and aircraft traveling in these areas, saying the haze will likely cause low horizontal visibility especially during the evening hours.
Air quality monitoring for Bacolod City and Iloilo City was forecast to be around "moderate" levels, which is still acceptable, but people who are unusually sensitive to ozone may experience respiratory symptoms.
Pagasa said the haze will likely continue to affect the Western Visayas region due to the south-westerly winds caused by Tropical Depression Nimfa, which is currently located 685 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes.
Health officials, meanwhile, have expressed concern that the haze will cause a spike in the number of lung-related diseases. It advised the public to wear mask when going outside.