Breathing in South Cotabato is Injurious to Health.

Air pollution threatens the health of 1.8 million people across 12 districts in South Cotabato. The average PM2.5 level is 20.9 µg/m³—4.2Ɨ higher than the WHO guideline.

Brought to you by Amrit Sharma

Air Pollution in South Cotabato

South Cotabato faces significant air pollution challenges. 100% of districts exceed the WHO guideline for clean air. This is putting 1.8 million across 12 districts at risk.

The average PM2.5 over 2023 was 20.9µg/m³. That's 4.2 times the WHO guideline for clean air of 5µg/m³.

This is equivalent of everybody, including children, smoking about 347 cigarettes in a year.

Air Quality Trend

Annual PM2.5 levels from 2014 to 2023. The WHO guideline for safe air is 5 µg/m³.

Life Expectancy Impact

If South Cotabato met the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³, the average person would live 1.58 years longer.

That's 2.8M years of life stolen from 1.8 million people. Years of watching children grow up. Years of building a career. Years of quiet mornings and celebrations.

Lives cut short. Breathing kills.

Districts with Highest Pollution

The top 10 most polluted districts in South Cotabato. These areas face the greatest health burden from air pollution.

  • 1.Norala
    1.9 years lost
  • 2.Santo Nino
    1.8 years lost
  • 3.Koronadal City
    1.8 years lost
  • 4.Tantangan
    1.8 years lost
  • 5.Banga
    1.7 years lost
  • 6.Surallah
    1.6 years lost
  • 7.Tampakan
    1.6 years lost
  • 8.Tupi
    1.6 years lost
  • 9.General Santos City
    1.5 years lost
  • 10.Polomolok
    1.5 years lost

Population Exposure by Pollution Level

Distribution of population across different PM2.5 pollution levels. The WHO guideline is 5 µg/m³—only populations below this threshold are breathing safe air.

< 5 µg/m³
0%
0
5-10 µg/m³
0%
0
10-15 µg/m³
0%
0
15-25 µg/m³
100%
1.8M
25-35 µg/m³
0%
0
> 35 µg/m³
0%
0

All 12 Districts in South Cotabato

Complete air quality data for every district in South Cotabato, sorted by population.

DistrictPopulationPM2.5 µg/m³Years Lost
General Santos City715K
20.2
1.5 years
Koronadal City197K
23.0
1.8 years
Polomolok184K
20.1
1.5 years
Banga105K
22.4
1.7 years
T'Boli100K
19.2
1.4 years
Surallah98K
21.5
1.6 years
Lake Sebu81K
18.0
1.3 years
Tantangan76K
23.0
1.8 years
Tupi67K
21.2
1.6 years
Norala60K
24.1
1.9 years
Tampakan51K
21.3
1.6 years
Santo Nino39K
23.5
1.8 years

Showing 12 districts, sorted by population (largest first). PM2.5 values are for 2023. Years lost calculated against WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.