EMB R3 - Air Quality Management

Ambient PM2.5 and PM10 Concentration as of July 23, 2021

Yesterday’s daily PM2.5 Average Concentration at EMB Region 3 Office is at 7.6 ug/Ncm with an equivalent Air Quality Index (AQI) of 15 (GOOD Category). As of 8:00 AM today, the AQI is 13 (GOOD). Low readings were due to continuous rain.

For PM10, yesterday’s daily concentration at Heroes Hall is at 6 ug/ Ncm (AQI is 6; GOOD Category). Low levels of particulates were observed due to heavy rains within the past 24 hours. As of 8:00 AM today, the AQI is 5 (GOOD Category). The area is still experiencing light to moderate rains.

Pursuant to EMB Memorandum Circular 2020-003, the Environmental Management Bureau Regional Office No. III (EMB R3) is mandated to establish an Air Quality Network Center using a uniform Data Acquisition and Handling System (DAHS). This shall act as a repository of industrial emission of firms required to install Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) / Continuous Opacity Monitoring System (COMS).

During the last quarter of 2020, EMB R3 launched the Environmental Data Quality Monitoring Center which aims to have real-time monitoring of emission from stationary sources such as coal-fired power plants and cement plants in Central Luzon. With the continuous transmission of emission data, EMB can easily identify emission exceedances and penalize the firms responsible for it. To fully maximize the system, it will also store ambient air quality data from the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS). Real-time information on both ambient air quality and emission from sources will be a good tool in managing the air. Furthermore, real-time water quality monitoring equipment from Bulacan, Pampanga, and Bataan will be integrated into the system as well.