Air pollution levels in some areas in the City of Manila continue to drop after the government ordered a strict stay-at-home policy among its residents, according to a report from Manila City Hall.
Based on air quality monitoring performed under the Asia Blue Skies Program – a partnership among 3M, the City Government of Manila and Clean Air Asia – average PM2.5 levels at Freedom Park at the Manila City Hall from April 13 to 17 dropped by 42 percent compared to measurements during the regular work/school weekdays (Jan 21 to March 6) before the quarantine.
Meanwhile, air quality monitoring at Rizal Park, Ermita for the same period last week showed that average PM2.5 was 2 percent higher compared to pre-quarantine pollution levels.
Likewise, in Mendiola corner Concepcion Aguila Street, air quality monitoring showed that PM2.5 levels are higher by 9 percent compared to levels before the start of the lockdown.
The air quality monitoring data that is being collected, along with the emissions inventory and health mapping results, will be used to better understand the state of air quality in the city, according to city government officials.
