Amid panic as face masks run out of supply, experts clarified that the effects of ashfall from Taal Volcano remain considerably low in Metro Manila.
The air quality in the metropolis has low to moderate levels of pollution after the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Administration (PAGASA) issued a rainfall update across NCR Region on Monday afternoon, January 13.
In a report by Rappler, Dr. Gerry Bagtasa, professor at the University of the Philippines Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (UP IESM) and a researcher specializing in air quality, said the ash did not reach the surface despite the continuous ashfall over Metro Manila.
“Ayon sa isang equipment ng University of Wisconsin sa Quezon City, hindi in fact bumaba ang karamihan ng plume ash papuntang surface. Bumaba siya up to 3 km, pero nag-stop siya roon. Mayroon pa rin namang ash, pero dito sa ibaba, wala gaano,” Bagtasa was quoted in the report as saying.
Meanwhile, many personal care and pharmacy stores in areas of Pasig, Manila, Mandaluyong City and Alabang, Muntinlupa have ran out of N95 face masks supply.
Some suppliers have been selling it at an unreasonable price since the volcano started spewing ashes, authorities found.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warned the consumers to lessen their purchase of face masks to make way for the victims’ accessibility to safety.
