MANILA Mayor Isko Moreno on Monday directed city health centers to start a respiratory health program, following the fire at the Navotas sanitary landfill over the weekend.
The fire caused the city’s air quality sensors to reach levels classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” and it urged residents to wear face masks to avoid the adverse health effects for citizens, especially vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, kids, pregnant women, and those with chronic diseases.
On a Facebook post, Moreno said he has instructed health centers in Districts 1 and 2 to roll out the program to address potential respiratory issues among affected communities.
That’s a major concern of the city; take care of the people who may be affected by their respiratory health because the incident was nearby.
He explained further that the proactive response was to mitigate more detrimental health issues that its citizens may encounter due to the incident.
In its latest Air Quality Index (AQI) level monitoring, Anda Circle, Puregold Tayuman, San Sebastian Residences, and Sta. Ana Hospital was classified as “fair,” noting that the air quality in the said areas remains good and generally healthy.
The Manila City Public Information Office urged those with existing respiratory illnesses like asthma to limit their outdoor activities, particularly in areas classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
The city government said it would continue to monitor the situation to ensure that the safety of its citizens is well protected.
