Cebu students returned to face-to-face classes Thursday as Metro Cebu’s air quality improved to the “fair” level, nearly a week after haze disrupted in-person learning.
The Environmental Management Bureau Central Visayas (EMB 7) recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 98 at its Metro Cebu monitoring station as of 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10.
This was a significant improvement from the AQI of 252 recorded on Sept. 3, which reached the “acutely unhealthy” category and was the highest reading in EMB 7’s historical monitoring.
The improved air quality coincided with the resumption of face-to-face classes in public and private schools in Cebu City following a directive from Mayor Nestor Archival.
Despite the improvement, the city government retained precautionary measures as PM2.5 remains present due to regional wind patterns.
Students with asthma, allergic rhinitis, active respiratory illnesses or cardiovascular conditions may continue alternative learning modalities without academic penalty.
Schools were also instructed to move outdoor activities indoors, including physical education classes, sports practices, flag ceremonies and recess.
Students were advised to wear N95 or KN95 masks, particularly during outdoor commutes.
Classrooms should also keep doors and windows closed during early morning peak commuting hours, particularly before 10 a.m., to limit exposure to outdoor particulate matter.
Face-to-face classes will be suspended again and shifted to distance learning if real-time PM2.5 monitoring records an AQI above 150 in two consecutive readings.
Meanwhile, EMB 7 recorded an AQI of 34 in Toledo City as of 11 a.m., classified as “good.”
The haze earlier affected parts of Cebu after wildfires in Kalimantan and Sumatra, Indonesia, sent particulate matter toward the Visayas and Mindanao through prevailing southwest winds, or habagat.
EMB 7 urged residents to continue monitoring official air quality readings and advisories as conditions may change depending on wind patterns and particulate matter concentrations.
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