SENATE, Pasay City — Amidst the 'very unhealthy' air recorded following New Year's day revelries, Senator Lorna Regina 'Loren' Legarda is calling on government authorities, particularly the environment officers of all local government units (LGUs), to strictly implement the Clean Air Act as part of the country's response to climate change.

After New Year's Day countdown and the extensive pyrotechnic displays in several areas of Metro Manila, air quality reportedly reached “very unhealthy” levels, which alarmed the lady senator due to the threat to public health posed by the greenhouse gases (GHG) that permeated the atmosphere from the firecracker blasts.

“Excessive fireworks celebrations across Metro Manila pose lots of risks, not only the safety of external body parts, but also to the lungs and nose because of the excessive amount of smoke released by burning gunpowder,” Legarda pointed out.

“The Clean Air Act mandates the State to assure that the air we breathe in is safe, and is devoid of impurities that might pollute our respiratory systems,” the former Senate president pro tempore added.

Based on atmospheric monitoring on air quality in the metropolis conducted by IQAir, several Metro Manila cities tallied alarming levels of air pollution as the National Capital Region (NCR) was almost entirely enveloped in thick clouds of smoke on Wednesday morning.

The City of Manila tallied the worst among the NCR's LGUs with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 218, categorized as 'very unhealthy', according to data from IQAir.

On the other hand, Pasig (134), and Marikina (118), were registered as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” as residents in all those areas were advised to stay indoors and wear face masks.

“Over 25 years ago, we mandated the government to regulate carbon emissions, and until now, not much has been done in curtailing the increased pollution during the turn of the calendar,” Legarda lamented.

“We should strictly implement the banning of illegal fireworks, and curb pollution by minimizing fireworks displays in specific areas assigned by local government units to help avoid any untoward injuries or damage to properties sustained in fires caused by wayward projectiles,” she quickly added.

The lady senator likewise called to activate air quality monitoring stations, which could provide real-time updates to residents needing them to make informed decisions.

“As online resources are readily available at our disposal, I call on the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) to establish data centers, especially in Metro Manila, as air quality is just as important as typhoon updates provided by PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration),” she cited.