Julia Christine Botin

Actress Mercedes Cabral participates in a performance art with climate advocacy organization 350 Pilipinas in Mandaluyong City on April 28, 2025, depicting the disparity between socio-economic classes in terms of exposure to harmful air quality.  Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Climate advocates push for clean air as a human right

Article (news)

Mark Demayo

ABS-CBN News

Climate advocates held a creative performance depicting the disparity between socio-economic classes in terms of exposure to harmful air quality along a major thoroughfare in Mandaluyong City on April 28, 2025. Actress Mercedes Cabral portrayed a wealthy shopper inside a transparent bubble amid high traffic of pedestrians and vehicles, with advocates from climate advocacy organization 350 Pilipinas wearing gas masks. Over the weekend, actor Soliman Cruz participated in a similar action portraying a businessman also inside a transparent bubble in front of Rizal Park. The creative protest highlights the importance of pushing for Philippine air quality standards aligned with World Health Organization guidelines and calls on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to fully implement the Clean Air Act of 1999. Quezon City government on Monday advised residents with respiratory illnesses to avoid going outdoors and to wear masks after the city recorded unhealthy to very unhealthy air quality levels in parts of Tandang Sora, Fairview, and Novaliches. Based on a report from TeleRadyo Serbisyo, an ongoing fire at a landfill site in Montalban, Rizal, could have contributed to the unhealthy air levels, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Climate advocates hold a creative performance depicting the disparity between socio-economic classes in terms of exposure to harmful air quality along a major thoroughfare in Mandaluyong City on April 28, 2025.

Climate advocates hold a creative performance depicting the disparity between socio-economic classes in terms of exposure to harmful air quality along a major thoroughfare in Mandaluyong City on April 28, 2025.