Cebu City suspended face-to-face classes in all levels in public and private schools on Monday, Sept. 21, after air pollution in Metro Cebu reached an “Acutely Unhealthy” level amid transboundary haze from wildfires in Indonesia.
The city government announced the suspension Sunday after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau Central Visayas (DENR EMB 7) recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 248 at its Metro Cebu monitoring station at 4 p.m.
The Metro Cebu station earlier recorded a peak AQI of 296 at 1 a.m. Sunday, just five points below the 301 threshold for the “Emergency” classification.
Schools were directed to shift to distance learning through modular, online or asynchronous modalities while face-to-face classes remain suspended.
EMB 7 continues to monitor air quality as transboundary haze from wildfires in Indonesia affects the region.
Its monitoring station in Barangay Cabitoonan, Toledo City also recorded an AQI of 216 at 4 p.m. Sunday, placing the area under the same “Acutely Unhealthy” classification.
Under the classification, EMB 7 advises the public to limit outdoor exertion. People with heart or respiratory diseases, including those with asthma, are advised to stay indoors and rest as much as possible, while unnecessary trips should be postponed.
The Cebu City Government also urged residents, particularly children, senior citizens and people with respiratory conditions, to stay indoors and keep windows closed.
Those who need to go outdoors were advised to wear N95 or KN95 masks when exposure to the haze cannot be avoided.
Residents were also encouraged to continue checking official air quality readings and government advisories as conditions may change depending on wind patterns and particulate matter concentrations.
Photo by Jacq Hernandez
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