Cebu provincial officials are working to establish common standards for suspending classes during episodes of poor air quality, as differing guidelines among government agencies risk exposing children to harmful pollutants.
The issue emerged during a consultation at the Cebu Provincial Capitol on Oct. 20, where government agencies, education officials and health experts discussed discrepancies in the criteria used to assess air pollution and determine when students should stay home.
Pediatric pulmonologist Dr. Doris Louise Cellona-Obra warned that children, particularly those aged zero to 12, are more vulnerable to air pollution because their lungs are still developing.
Children also breathe faster than adults, potentially exposing them to more airborne pollutants relative to their body size. Prolonged exposure could cause lasting damage, Cellona-Obra said.
She recommended suspending classes when air quality reaches hazardous levels and restricting requirements for student-athletes to attend training during such conditions, particularly when activities are held outdoors.
Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro said the province was pursuing an integrated approach and hoped to include Metro Cebu’s highly urbanized cities in the proposed guidelines.
“One thing is for sure: we would have to have an integrated stand on this,” Baricuatro said.
Environmental Management Bureau-Central Visayas (EMB 7) Director Atty. John Edward Ang explained that the agency uses the Air Quality Index (AQI) to assess pollution levels and classify their potential health effects.
Among the pollutants monitored are particulate matter such as PM10, which can come from vehicles and industrial activities. The AQI translates measured pollutant concentrations into categories indicating potential risks to public health.
The Department of Education (DepEd), however, uses a different reference for decisions on class suspensions.
Dr. Senen Priscilo Paulin, DepEd Cebu Province schools division superintendent, said the agency follows the PM2.5 Air Quality Index under DepEd Order No. 22, series of 2024.
PM2.5 refers to airborne particles measuring 2.5 micrometers or smaller. Their size allows them to penetrate deep into the respiratory system, posing health risks particularly to children and other vulnerable groups.
The differences in the benchmarks have raised concerns among officials seeking a consistent basis for suspension decisions.
Capitol public health consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan said the consultation aimed to address the discrepancies and develop a unified set of guidelines.
“The thresholds were not really synchronized and we’re working towards unified guidelines for the cancellations of classes,” Catalan said.
“Mao na ang end goal nato nga naay clear guidelines, nga dili ra maglahi-lahi kay fragmented kaayo,” she added, emphasizing the need to prevent inconsistent decisions across jurisdictions.
The proposed policy would seek to harmonize the standards used by EMB and DepEd, giving school heads and local chief executives clearer, science-based guidance on when pollution levels warrant class suspensions.
Local officials would retain their authority to suspend classes, using findings from competent government agencies on outdoor air quality and its potential health effects to guide their decisions.
Photo courtesy of Capitol PIO/Facebook
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