13M+ Metro Manila residents regularly exposed to pollution

Over 13 million residents of Metro Manila are regularly exposed to pollution levels that exceed global safety standards, environmental advocates warn.

These invisible threats contribute to respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases that claim lives and strain communities, they noted.

The State of Global Air 2024 report, cited by the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH), identified poor air quality as the leading environmental threat to human health, responsible for 8.1 million deaths worldwide in 2021.

Fine particulate matter, such as PM2.5, can bypass the body’s natural defenses, entering the bloodstream and brain. These particles are linked to illnesses including asthma, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Breathe Metro Manila, an emerging coalition of technology and academic institutions specializing in air quality science, public health, and research innovation, is actively addressing this crisis.

The group advocates for stronger air quality monitoring and data-driven solutions to reduce pollution-related health risks.

“Air pollution is the leading cause of disease and early death worldwide, even more than high blood pressure or smoking, and yet, we don’t have enough publicly available data to protect the populations most at risk,” Dr. Annelle Chua, Head of the Innovation Flagship Program at ASMPH Center for Research and Innovation and Focal for Environmental Quality and Health, said during a media roundtable on Wednesday at Ateneo de Manila University.

The coalition aims to expand real-time air quality monitoring, making pollution data accessible to decision-makers, healthcare providers, and the public.

“You cannot manage what you cannot measure,” Dr. James Bernard Simpas, Head of the Air Quality Dynamics Laboratory at the Manila Observatory, said.

“Long-term measurements illustrate the effectiveness of AQ-relevant policy decisions. Understanding the major sources of air pollution helps direct air pollution mitigation and control strategies,” Simpas added.

Local governments are already using such timely, localized data. In Quezon City, Mayor Joy Belmonte recently updated the city’s class suspension protocols to include real-time air quality as a factor.

When levels reach “Very Unhealthy” or “Emergency,” classes are automatically canceled based on sensor data from 40 active monitoring sites.

Behind these actions are Breathe Metro Manila’s partners, who provide the infrastructure, coordination, and tools needed to increase impact. Among them is Ateneo BUILD (Business Insights Laboratory for Development), which acts as the initiative’s operational and fiduciary hub.

BUILD helps translate shared goals into action by connecting academic research with government, civic, and industry partners.

“Making air quality data public is a milestone. But more important is turning that visibility into shared decisions, and decisions into systems that improve how we protect our communities," Joseph Benjamin R. Ilagan, Director of Ateneo BUILD, said.

Clarity, a leader in environmental sensing, is developing Node-S Air Sensor, its flagship self-powered particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide monitor, to be deployed across Metro Manila.

Their platform supports what they call Air Quality Monitoring 2.0, which focuses on three main shifts: deploying smarter, scalable measurement systems; turning data into actionable health and economic insights; and coordinating efforts across sectors to create lasting change.

“Air quality data is only powerful when it’s real-time, localized, and actionable,” Engr. Ethel Garcia, Regional Account Manager for SEA and Oceania, Clarity Movement, added.

“With smarter sensors and stronger partnerships, we’re helping Metro Manila turn invisible threats into visible solutions,” she continued.

Breathe Metro Manila is calling on local governments, private sector leaders, schools, and civic organizations to support ongoing efforts to improve air quality and safeguard public health.

With real-time data, coordinated action, and cross-sector collaboration, the coalition aims to transform air quality insights into policies and interventions that yield long-term impact.