Oh, the irony! Metro Manila’s cleanest city was the most polluted during New Year’s Eve.
A study by the Manila Observatory, a private, non-profit Jesuit research institution, reveals that the area that has had the worst air pollution through the years is Nangka in Marikina City. That’s because it is located in a valley that traps pollutants naturally.
Also ranking high in the number of fine particulates (PM2.5 is the standard of measurement) since the Manila Observatory started PM2.5 readings in 2000, are Barangka, also in Marikina, and Oro Vista Royale near Marcos Hi-way in Antipolo City, where the air is hazardous during New Year Eve’s celebrations.
Lowest PM2.5 was measured in Las Piñas and Bulacan, though the levels were still in the unhealthy range.
The last time Metro Manila’s air quality was good or moderate was in 2003, according to the study by Genie Lorenzo, Nofel Lagrosas, Melliza Cruz, James Simpas and Gemma Narisma.
Photo from the Manila Observatory.
