Several local government units in Cebu suspended classes on Friday, July 10, due to ashfall from Kanlaon Volcano’s recent eruption and the effects of unfavorable weather conditions linked to Typhoon Inday.
The class suspensions covered various areas in the province and included both public and private schools, depending on the advisory issued by each LGU.
Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Toledo City, Naga City, and Carcar City suspended classes at all levels due to reported ashfall. Several municipalities also issued similar suspensions, including Cordova, Liloan, Minglanilla, Aloguinsan, Balamban, Pinamungajan, Consolacion, Sibonga, Tuburan, Catmon, Bantayan, Ronda, Sogod, Carmen, Barili, Madridejos, Alcantara, Santa Fe, Compostela, Dumanjug, and San Fernando.
Most of the LGUs affected by ashfall suspended classes in public and private schools, while some areas limited the suspension to public schools or placed the order until further notice.
Other southern Cebu municipalities suspended classes because of bad weather. These included Dalaguete, Ginatilan, Alegria, Santander, Samboan, Malabuyoc, and Boljoon. Alcoy also issued a general advisory due to weather conditions.
Danao City, Argao, and Talisay City cited both ashfall and the weather disturbance as reasons for suspending classes.
The suspensions followed reports of ashfall incidents in areas along the wind path from Kanlaon Volcano. The Environmental Management Bureau Region 7 advised residents to take precautions, including wearing masks when going outside and limiting unnecessary outdoor activities.
The agency recommended the use of N95 masks for those who need to leave their homes and advised residents to keep windows and doors closed to prevent ash from entering indoor spaces.
EMB-7 also reported that air quality monitoring stations in Talisay City and Toledo City recorded PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations within safe guideline values as of 6 a.m. on Friday.
The Talisay monitoring station recorded a PM2.5 concentration of 20.6 micrograms per cubic meter with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 58, classified as “Fair.” Its PM10 reading was 28 micrograms per cubic meter with an AQI of 26, classified as “Good.”
Meanwhile, Toledo City recorded a PM2.5 concentration of 5.1 micrograms per cubic meter with an AQI of 10 and a PM10 concentration of 24 micrograms per cubic meter with an AQI of 22, both classified as “Good.”
EMB-7 said atmospheric simulations using the NOAA HYSPLIT model showed that volcanic emissions from Kanlaon were moving eastward and affecting parts of central Cebu.
Authorities reminded the public to continue monitoring official announcements as weather and ashfall conditions may change.
Photo by Edward Charles Tinga
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