The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), facilitated a consultation for the Development of Guideline Values for Additional Hazardous Air Pollutants on 23 February 2023 in the University of the Philippines Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, Quezon City. The agenda included the presentation and review of the draft National Ambient Air Quality Guideline Values for the additional hazardous air pollutants and criteria air pollutants, including particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometers or smaller (PM₁₀).

The Officer-in-Charge, Office of the EMB Assistant Director and concurrent Chief, Environmental Impact Assessment and Management Division, AD Esperanza A. Sajul welcomed the participants from different agencies, such as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) – Health, Public Safety and Environmental Protection Office (HPSEPO) – Plans, Programs Development and Monitoring Division (PPDMD), Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP), Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP), Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Philippine Society of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, Inc. (PSAAI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) – Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment Staff (ANRES), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), Department of Health (DOH) – Health Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Bureau of Investments (BOI), Council on Control of Tobacco and Air Pollution (CCTAP), Clean Air Asia (CAA), and University of the Philippines (UP) – Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM).

While the Officer-in-Charge of the Environmental Quality Management Division, Mr. Geri-Geronimo R. Sañez, delivered the opening remarks and emphasized that the proposed guideline values are to protect, maintain, and advance the right of the people for healthy air. The Chief of the Air Quality Management Section, Engr. Jundy T. Del Socorro, provided a brief background on the development of National Ambient Air Quality Guideline Values for Additional Hazardous Air Pollutants.

The consultant from the University of the Philippines – Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, Dr. Mylene G. Cayetano, presented the methodology used for coming up with the guideline values. Discussion on the guideline values, especially for PM₁₀, was facilitated. The presented guideline values for PM₁₀ were agreed upon by the stakeholders.

OIC – Assistant Director Sajul delivered the closing remarks. Recommendations, comments, and inputs gathered in the consultation will be taken into consideration for the improvement of the national air quality guideline values for hazardous air pollutants.