As Metro Manila’s air pollution levels continue to exceed health standards, local government units (LGUs) are being pushed to adopt real-time monitoring systems to protect public health.
The World Health Organization has linked long-term exposure to polluted air to increased risks of stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, pneumonia, and heart disease. The Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has estimated that air pollution caused more than 66,000 deaths in the Philippines in a single year.
CREA also noted that air pollution cost the country nearly 12% of its GDP in 2019, amounting to about P2.32 trillion. As pollutant levels continue to rise, experts warn that the 2025 toll could exceed these figures.
In response to the growing health and economic burden, more LGUs are turning to real-time monitoring to strengthen local response and policy action.
Quezon City manages a network of 40 monitoring stations across schools, hospitals, and major roads, while Makati uses real-time sensors to identify pollution hotspots and issue timely health advisories, including during volcanic smog events.
Last year, Mandaluyong installed six air quality sensors under Project MENCHIE and hosted additional sensors for Breathe Metro Manila (BMM), a coalition of technology, academic, and research institutions.
Mandaluyong CDRRMO chief Roald Arcangel said real-time data enables faster, smarter action, noting that pollution spikes during rush hours and in densely populated areas. BMM officials stressed the need for more LGUs to share data and collaborate across city borders to address air pollution effectively.
