Haze stays
May affect agri crops
THE haze affecting the Davao Region is expected to take its toll in the region’s agricultural crops, an official said.
The haze, which entered the region for more than a week now, was reported to be coming from the forest fires in Indonesia as confirmed by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Davao Region.
Maria Febe Orbe, Department of Agriculture (DA)-11 assistant regional director told Sun.Star Davao in a text message that according to studies, haze can adversely affect the plants’ growth including agricultural crops.
“Haze is a pollutant made of dust, soot, ash which can settle on plant leaves. Deposits will interfere with the photosynthetic activity of the plant due to reduction of sunlight’s penetration to the crop,” she said, adding that there are perceptions that haze can suppress rainfall.
of aerosols which result to more clouds containing smaller droplets and are less likely to release rain,” she explained.
Orbe underscored that crops needing water to yield optimally will suffer reduction of production levels.
The agriculture department said that the crop that is most likely affected is rice especially those planted in non-irrigated lands.
“We cannot gauge as to there is a concrete damage to crops due to haze as early as now but we are considering the possibility of decrease in production levels. We in the agriculture sector is already gearing up if such happens,” Orbe said.
The Pag-asa is uncertain as to when the haze will clear out in the region and the rest of the country but they assured that it will disappear soon.
Meanwhile, damage to agriculture sector in the region due to El Ni¤o has reached about P300 million in rice and corn. A total of 4,975.38 hectares (has) were damaged wherein 1, 427. 81 has is for rice and 3,547.57 has. for corn.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) Region 11 also assured that despite the haze Davao City is currently experiencing, the air quality can still be considered healthy as it is still on the good to fair level.
“Environmental management board said that the air quality here in Davao City still ranges from good to fair pa. So ang good is, 054 micrograms per cubic meter at kung fair ranges from 55-154 micrograms per cubic meter. Pwede pa tayong makagawa ng mga normal activities,” said Engr. Gloria Orteza Raut, Senior Health Program Officer of the DOH Region 11 during the Hermes Club media conference at Waterfront Insular Hotel on Friday.
Raut said that it would be dangerous if the micrograms per cubic meter of the haze would reach more than the 155.
“Pag lagpas na tayo sa 155, yun na yung unhealthy level na, delikado na sa may mga taong may sakit na asthma, yung may mga bronchitis, yung mga bata, elderly , at yung may mga cancer at HIV,” she explained.
She added that the standard was based on the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, also known Republic Act 8749.
“As of today hindi paman alarming ang air index sa Davao,” Raut said.
She said that haze may also contain air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter that can cause diseases.
Raut, however, said that it is a good thing that the haze stays 32,000, 42,000 feet about the clouds, which only affect the flight visibility airplanes.
She said that if the haze goes lower it can cause difficulty in breathing, sinusitis, and can affect the eyes, nose and throat.
Raut said that they are set to meet with the EMB to discuss the means to protect the health of the people due to the haze.
She also advised those who already have diseases like asthma to avoid going outdoors.