A LAWMAKER on Monday asked the national government to conduct cloud seeding to fight the haze in Davao City and other areas in Mindanao.
Liberal Party Rep. Isidro Ungab of Davao, chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, said cloud seeding is needed to protect the public from bad effect of the haze, mostly caused by the burning of forests in Indonesia.
Besides the Philippines, other countries affected by this haze are Malaysia and Singapore.
The Philippines, particularly Mindanao, has been affected by the haze since October 17.
“I am urging the government to conduct cloud seeding. Hopefully the rains can help neutralize the haze,” Ungab said in a text message.
Cloud seeding is the induction of rain by introducing silver iodide or dry ice into clouds through the use of airplane flares, rocket or generator.
“However, business is still usual in Davao. But the long-term effect of it might lead to respiratory problems. The health of our children must be protected,” the lawmaker said.
Meanwhile, in a CNN Philippines report, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) health officials advised the public to stay indoors to avoid suffering from respiratory diseases due to the haze now covering some areas in Mindanao.
In the report, Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., regional secretary for Department of Health (DOH)-ARMM, asked the public to “don’t underestimate the ill effects of haze. It’s worsening the already compromised quality of air that we breathe imposing health risks to everybody.”
Meanwhile, the DOH said haze due to forest fire can cause air pollution, which can bring about increased risks for respiratory tract infections and cardiac ailments.
The DOH advised the elderly, children and those with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases to stay indoors with good ventilation, wear appropriate dust masks when going outside the house and refrain from physical activities in heavily polluted areas.
The health department also asked motorists to exercise extreme caution whenever on the road to prevent accidents, such as use headlights or foglights, follow the required minimum speed level and extreme caution in low, visibility driving, and ensure that vehicle is in good running condition.
The DOH added that public should consult a doctor if there is difficulty in breathing, cough, chest pain, increased tearing of the eyes and nose or throat irritation.