For ‘sensitive groups,’ says EMB: Metro Cebu air unhealthy

CEBU, Philippines — Residents, especially children, senior citizens, and persons with respiratory illnesses, were urged to take precautions after air quality monitoring in Metro Cebu showed that air levels are considered “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.”

In an advisory, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Central Visayas reported that hazy conditions were observed in parts of Metro Cebu. Its evaluation revealed that Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 levels near the Talisay City Station had exceeded guideline values on Friday, April 17.

Based on the air quality status released as of 8 a.m., the PM10 air quality index near the Talisay station was recorded at 72, classified as “Fair,” while PM2.5 reached 101, which falls under “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.”

The agency advised the public to refrain from staying outdoors or to wear N95 masks to avoid harmful effects.

Air Quality Monitoring personnel and expert Engr. Arthur Niño Calupig said the current air quality condition is a concern, particularly for those more vulnerable to exposure.

“Kani atong na monitor na kalidad sa hangin, currently air quality index man gud nato sa PM2.5 is unhealthy for sensitive groups,” he said.

“When we say unhealthy groups, kato nang mga prone sa inana na effects, labi na atong naay mga respiratory illnesses like asthma or atong mga kabataan and mga katiguwangan,” he added.

Calupig said the office is advising residents to minimize going outside, especially amid the extreme heat, which may cause pollutants to spread faster.

“Sa mahimo, ang gina advice sa office e-refrain ang pag-gawas. Labi na karon na init kaayo ang panahon. Ang tendency man gud kung init kaayo ang panahon ang atoang pollutants dali kaayo mo move, dali kaayo mo katag,” he explained.

He, however, said that should the need to go outside arise, an N95 mask may be used as a preventive measure.

While some residents have linked the haze to the unrest of Kanlaon Volcano, Calupig said the EMB cannot yet directly conclude that the volcanic activity is behind the hazy condition in Metro Cebu.

“Actually dili gyud ta directly makaingon kay we go in to forensics gyud para maka ingon ta. Dapat mapa analyze nato first,” he said.

He stressed that localized sources of pollution should not be disregarded, particularly emissions coming from vehicles and industries, which he added are also visible contributors to the current air quality condition.

“Naa man gyuy naka observe sa hazy na kondisyon diri sa Metro Cebu. In general di ta ka pin directly ana sa pagbuto sa bulkan kay we’ve always informed the public na dili nato e discredit ang mga localized emissions, for example mga vehicular emissions mao gyud nay number 1 and also industrial emissions,” he said.

Calupig further said that even the location and altitude of Kanlaon make it uncertain, at this point, to directly attribute the haze in Metro Cebu to the volcano’s unrest.

“If we consider the location of the Kanlaon Volcano and its height or altitude, dili gyud sya directly maka affect,” he said.

Furthermore, the EMB said air quality data in Brgy. Cabitoonan, Toledo City showed that PM10 and PM2.5 levels at the Toledo Station remained within guideline values despite the unrest status of Kanlaon.

In the latest data from the DOST-PHIVOLCS Kanlaon Volcano Bulletin issued on April 17, 2026, the volcano recorded one ash emission event lasting 145 minutes during the 24-hour observation period.

As of this writing, Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 2, or increased unrest. (CEBU NEWS)