How Is Air Pollution in the Philippines?

(SPOT.ph) The Philippines ranks 79th most polluted country in the world, but we do have three cities that are still in the green based on the 2023 World Air Quality Report by Swiss air-quality technology company IQAir. Unsurprisingly, they are all located outside of Metro Manila.

The least polluted city in the country goes to Calamba City in Laguna, followed by Carmona City in Cavite and Balanga City in Bataan. Calamba and Carmona are also among the cities with the safest air quality in Southeast Asia at sixth and ninth place.

As a whole, air quality in the Philippines has slightly improved from 14.9 μg/m³ in 2022 to 13.5 μg/m³ to 2023. However, this is still almost three times more than what the World Health Organization recognizes as safe at 5 μg/m³ or less. 

Also read: Philippine Air Pollution Is Three Times Higher Than the Safe Level

The least to most polluted cities in the Philippines

Busy urban hubs like Mandaluyong, Paranaque, San Juan, and Taguig are some of the most polluted cities in 2023. Chronic exposure to air pollution will put the population at risk of developing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, the worst case scenario of which could lead to lung cancer.

Aside from motor vehicles, the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil is also one of the main contributors to air pollution in the country.

The data in IQAir's report is measured in units of micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3), but all you will need to know is that the lower the number, the better the air quality. Being in the 5.1 to 10 range exceeds WHO's standard by one to two times, 10.1 to 15 by two to three times, and 15.1 to 25 by three to five times.

Here are the other cities and regions in the Philippines with IQAir data, which are arranged from least to most polluted:

1. Calamba – 8.2 μg/m³
2. Carmona – 8.9 μg/m³
3. Balanga – 9.2 μg/m³
4. Quezon City – μg/m³
5. Silang – 13.6 μg/m³
6. Davao City – 14.7 μg/m³
7. Rizal – 14.7 μg/m³
8. Makati – 14.8 μg/m³
9. Olongapo – 14.9 μg/m³
10. Taguig – 16.9 μg/m³
11. San Juan – 17.3 μg/m³
12. Paranaque – 17.8 μg/m³
13. Batangas – 18 μg/m³
14. Mandaluyong – 19 μg/m³

Here are the 15 least polluted cities in Southeast Asia:

1. Mamuju, Indonesia – 3.7 μg/m³
2. Kupang, Indonesia – 4.6 μg/m³
3. Tra Vinh, Vietnam – 5.6 μg/m³
4. Bongawan, Malaysia – 6.7 μg/m³
5. Ban Klang, Thailand – 8.1 μg/m³
6. Calamba, Philippines – 8.2 μg/m³
7. Kendari, Indonesia – 8.5 μg/m³
8. Kathu, Thailand – 8.5 μg/m³
9. Carmona, Philippines – 8.9 μg/m³
10. Indrapuri, Indonesia – 9.1 μg/m³
11. Balanga, Philippines – 9.2 μg/m³
12. Sandakan, Malaysia – 9.6 μg/m³
13. Banda Aceh, Indonesia – 9.8 μg/m³
14. Balikpapan, Indonesia – 9.8 μg/m³
15. Kapit, Malaysia – 10.3 μg/m³

Also read: Check the Air Quality in Your City Through This DENR Site