Classes suspended

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Cebu’s air quality index (AQI) remained “acutely unhealthy” on Sunday, Sept. 20, amid continuing transboundary haze from forest fires in Indonesia, prompting  at least 10 local government units to suspend face-to-face classes today, Monday, Sept. 21.

As of 4 p.m. Sunday, the Environmental Management Bureau Region VII (EMB-7) recorded an AQI of 248 at the Metro Cebu monitoring station.

The reading showed a significant deterioration in air quality compared with improvements recorded in previous days.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival suspended face-to-face classes at all levels in public and private schools today. He directed schools to shift to modular, online or asynchronous learning to ensure educational continuity.

The Cebu City Council also directed the City Health Department and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to monitor respiratory complaints and hospital consultations linked to the haze.

Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas likewise suspended face-to-face classes in public schools on Monday. Private schools and Talisay City College were given discretion on whether to suspend in-person classes.

Minglanilla Mayor Lheslen Enad also suspended face-to-face classes in both public and private schools. The cities of Naga, Madaue and Lapu-Lapu and the towns of Cordova, Consolacion, Liloan and San Fernando also suspended face-to-face classes today. 

The mayors urged residents, particularly children, to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities and remain indoors as much as possible.

The EMB-7 continues to monitor ambient air quality in the region amid the transboundary haze from fires in Indonesia.

Under the advisory for “acutely unhealthy” air quality, the public is advised to limit strenuous outdoor activities.

People with heart disease or respiratory conditions, including asthma, are advised to stay indoors and rest as much as possible. The public is also advised to postpone unnecessary travel.

The EMB-7 urged the public to regularly check official updates and air quality advisories as the haze continues and air quality fluctuates.

Monitoring data from Sept. 1 to 20 showed significant fluctuations in Cebu’s air quality, from “very unhealthy” on Sept. 1 to “acutely unhealthy” on Sept. 3, improving to “fair” on Sept. 10 and 16 before returning to “acutely unhealthy” on Sept. 19 and 20.

In a resolution authored by Councilor Harry Rosales Eran, the City Council also asked the city disaster office to help monitor respiratory illnesses amid reports of “acutely unhealthy” air quality.

The haze has been traced to transboundary smoke and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) carried by southwest winds from wildfires in Kalimantan and Sumatra, Indonesia. (CEBU NEWS)