Although still “very unhealthy”: Air quality improved

CEBU, Philippines — Metro Cebu remained under a “very unhealthy” air quality classification on Monday, April 20, despite a slight improvement in readings, as hazardous levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) continued to linger over the metropolitan area.

Data from the Talisay City monitoring station showed the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 177 as of 8 a.m. yesterday, lower than the 199 recorded on April 19, but still within the “very unhealthy” category. In contrast, Toledo City registered “good” air quality.

The Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas (EMB-7) said Metro Cebu has been blanketed by persistent haze since April 17, with health risks remaining despite the slight downward trend.

Engr. Arthur Calupig, air quality monitoring personnel and expert, said elevated PM2.5 levels had already been detected days before conditions worsened.

“This started April 13, last week. For PM2.5 levels, ni abot ta og 110 AQI. That means unhealthy for sensitive groups. But karon ni saka nagyud ang level sa PM2.5, actually gahapon (Sunday) na abot nata ug 199. So the general public is advised lang gyud to stay indoors,” Calupig said.

Calupig said authorities have yet to determine a fixed cause of the haze, but monitoring points to several possible local contributors.

“Wala pa ‘tay fix na hinungdan, but and atong gina consider is ang localized emissions. Usa niana ang vehicular emissions, industrial emissions, and then kani sang mga resources nato. Sa mga recent na nahitabo nga mga adlaw, naa tay mga sunog na mga nahitabo. Naa tay grass fire sa SRP ug residential fires, usa pud na s’ya na contributor sa atoang air quality,” he said.

So far, EMB-7 has not found any indication that the pollution originated outside the country.

“Wala patay nakita na external or from other countries,” he said.

Calupig added that hot weather may be aggravating conditions, with pollutants remaining suspended in the air instead of settling.

“Usa pud na sa maka apekto ang temperature sa atong palibot. Kay base sa data na nakuha sa PAG-ASA, medyo init gyud daw ron na panahon. Ang tendency pud ana if init kaayo ang panahon, ang pollutants na naa sa hangin mas gaan and mag steady ra gyud na s’ya sa hangin, wala na siyay posibilidad na mo naug. In-ana ang resulta,” he said.

As to how long the haze may persist, Calupig said it is still too early to determine.

“Sa karon dili pagyud ta kaingon kung kanus a kutob kay padayon papud ang monitoring karon ug ang trend. Kung magpabiling init ni ang temperatura, magbabilin ra gyud gihapon ni atong kondisyon. Pinaka dali na solusyon namiha atong pollutants, rain,” he said.

He warned that prolonged exposure to high PM2.5 levels may cause breathing difficulties, especially among vulnerable groups.

“Basically, kung ma expose ka’g in-ani sa taas na level, ang pinaka number one na effect is maglisod gyud ta og ginhawa. Labaw na ang mga vulnerable groups,” Calupig said.

In response, EMB-7 advised the public to stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed, avoid outdoor exercise and strenuous activities, and wear well-fitted N95 or KN95 masks when going outside. It said ordinary cloth and surgical masks are insufficient to block fine particles.

Calupig said EMB-7 is also coordinating with other agencies for wider public health information dissemination.

Capitol activates emergency response

The Cebu Provincial Government activated emergency response measures after air quality levels reached the “very unhealthy” category, prompting Governor Pamela Baricuatro to call for immediate coordination with national agencies.

Ainjeliz dela Torre-Orong, Capitol public information officer, said the governor formally requested the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to provide regular air quality monitoring and updates, while also seeking guidance from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of Health (DOH) for timely advisories.

The Emergency Operations Center under the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office was placed on active status, while provincial and district hospitals were ordered on heightened alert for possible health cases linked to poor air quality.

“Ni ask na si Gov sa DENR to give regular updates also to OCD and DOH for their recommendations,” dela Torre-Orong said.

She added that formal guidelines would be released once recommendations from concerned agencies are finalized.

Despite the alarming readings, authorities said no patients had so far been admitted due to air pollution-related illnesses.

As a precaution, Baricuatro urged residents to limit outdoor exposure and wear protective masks when necessary.

“Kung sa makaya indoors lang sa ta… but if kinahanglan mogawas please wear KN95,” the governor said.

Health risks cited

Health experts echoed the call for preventive measures, particularly for vulnerable sectors and those with pre-existing illnesses.

Dr. Ma. Barbra Destajo, cardiologist of the Philippine Heart Association and volunteer doctor of Bell-Kenz Pharma, said polluted air poses serious risks to patients with respiratory ailments.

“In terms of air quality, more so with respiratory condition. If ang patient naa na siyay daan nga respiratory condition like asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), it would trigger ilang underlying problem,” she said.

She added that air pollution may also lead to more severe complications.

“Pwede pud siya maka trigger sa heart attack. It’s more on respiratory but consequence kay magtapad raman ang heart ug lungs,” Destajo explained.

In Cebu City, Mayor Nestor Archival directed barangay environment officers to intensify monitoring against garbage burning and urged residents to limit private vehicle use.

Archival said EMB-7 cited several factors behind the worsening pollution, including prolonged dryness that stirred up dust, stagnant air that trapped pollutants, heavy traffic, and bush fires worsened by waste burning.

“Grabe kaayo ang ka-dry, daghan ang abog. Ang hangin nga mu-bend wala kaayo siyay movement, that’s why nag-standby ang pollutants... Then the moment naay traffic, ang pollutants naa gyud na within the area... And naay puy mga tawo nga nag-daob sa ilang basura,” the mayor said.

He appealed to residents to minimize unnecessary vehicle trips and combine errands.

“If dili kinahanglan magdala ug sakyanan padulong sa syudad, or kon dili man gani, kon duna moy pamaliton kinahanglan kumpletuhon na para dili ta mag sigeg gamit sa atong sakyanan ..Para in a way nga maka lessen ani..Also pag gamit sa fuel and the second one dili ta maka create ug congestion or traffic because the moment there is traffic ang pollutants ana mudaghan gyud ni siya,” Archival said.

He also urged proper waste disposal.

“Kun magsunog ka, ang air pollutants mudaghan. Kuyaw pa gyud sa sunog,” Archival warned. — Chain Lee Templo and Ashley Chad Jopia CTU-Tuburan Interns (FREEMAN)