SINGAPORE — “Haze sanctuaries” could be set up in public facilities such as community centres (CCs), among other mitigation measures, in the event of intense haze, Parliament was told on Wednesday (July 5).

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said that there are also plans by the inter-agency haze task force to work with the People’s Association (PA) to distribute masks to low-income and vulnerable residents in the event of a severe haze episode.

Ms Fu said that global climate phenomena could intensify the upcoming dry season in Singapore and the region, leading to more potential hot spots and an increased risk of transboundary haze.

“We expect this year’s dry season to be the hottest and driest since 2019,” she said. 

Ms Fu added that the inter-agency task force led by the National Environment Agency is coordinating and updating Singapore’s national action plans in preparation for possible transboundary haze.

ESTABLISHING 'HAZE SANCTUARIES'

Three Members of Parliament (MPs) posed supplementary questions on the topics of establishing public sanctuaries in the event of haze, and efforts to tackle the issue between Singapore and countries in the Asean Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control.

Mr Yip Hon Weng, MP for Yio Chu Kang Single Member Constituency (SMC), asked if Ms Fu would consider working with the PA to set up “haze sanctuaries” using facilities such as resident committee (RC) centres.

This could be especially relevant for seniors who may not have adequate N95 masks, air purifiers or air-conditioning in their homes, he added.

In response, Ms Fu outlined steps members of the public can take in the event of haze, such as staying home, reducing outdoor activities, drawing their curtains for natural ventilation or masking up when going outdoors for prolonged periods.

“Having said that, I would like to take up the member’s suggestions about working with PA to create spaces for vulnerable segments of the population to seek rest for some period of time,” said Ms Fu.

“One of the suggestions that we are thinking about is to make some of the RC centres as well as CC study rooms, for example, which are air-conditioned, to be available to some segments of this population.”

Mr Liang Eng Hwa, Bukit Panjang SMC MP, asked what the Asean Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control could do to help Singapore be more proactive and pre-emptive in mitigating the impact of haze in the region.

Mr Liang also asked how Singapore is engaging the Indonesian government to support the management of forest fires.

Ms Fu responded that there is a “common intention and objective” to manage forest fires and transboundary haze.

“Indonesia, as the chair for (the) Asean (conference) this year, would like to see progress,” she said.

“Our discussion with the Indonesian government has always been very positive.

“As you know, over the last few years, significant effort has been put in, on the Indonesian government’s part, on monitoring as well as on supervisory, regulatory, as well as building up capability for firefighting.” 

In line with the suggestion on haze sanctuaries posed by Mr Yip, Sengkang Group Representation Constituency MP He Ting Ru asked if the spaces could similarly be made available as “heat sanctuaries” in periods of heat waves and prolonged high temperatures.

Ms Fu said: “We will definitely take up that suggestion as well.

“These are all important nodes of community support on the ground and essentially a result of many, many decades of hard work of building up assets, such as RC centres, CC centres, that are… prepared to handle some of these local exigencies when the need arises."

OTHER MEASURES TAKEN

Ms Fu also cited other preparatory measures the Government is taking in anticipation of possible transboundary haze:

• Working with retail pharmacies to ensure a sufficient stock of N95 masks. Ms Fu said that the Ministry of Health (MOH) maintains a stockpile of N95 masks and is prepared to release these masks to retail pharmacies should the need arise
• Distributing masks to low-income and vulnerable residents during severe haze
• Equipping all classrooms of primary and secondary schools, Ministry of Education (MOE) kindergartens, and special education schools with air purifiers. Ms Fu added that preschools are similarly required to ensure sufficient air purifiers to accommodate children in the event of haze

Ms Fu said that MOH has advised medical practitioners on how to manage and treat patients with haze-related conditions, and has also advised all public health institutions on capacity mitigating measures, in view of a potential increase in hospital admissions due to haze-related illnesses. 

She added that MOH has also worked with public health institutions, including nursing homes, to ensure that they have adequate air purifying equipment and medical supplies.