Manila’s misting operation may just be a waste of water and fuel

The city’s already high humidity makes the air stickier and hotter.

The Manila city government has begun misting operations across parts of the city to ease the impact of rising temperatures, but critics say the move may be wasting water and fuel.

The initiative involves driving fire trucks across the city to spray water along major roads and public areas to provide temporary cooling. While intended as a quick response to extreme heat, the approach raises questions about its effectiveness in practice.

Manila’s humidity is already high. Due to its tropical location near the equator and surrounding bodies of water, including Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay, additional moisture in the air can make conditions feel warmer.

Similar to the intense heat after a short rain, the concrete pavement releases “singaw,” making the environment feel even stickier and more uncomfortable.

A resource drain

Instead, many are calling for the more sustainable and ecologically sound option of planting trees. Expanding shaded areas offers longer-term cooling benefits and reduces reliance on band-aid solutions.

Across Metro Manila, green spaces have steadily declined as urban development accelerates, reducing natural shade and worsening the heat trapped by concrete and asphalt. Reviving these spaces is critical, as temperatures continue to rise and cities face a hotter future.