Metro Cebu just logged the worst air quality reading on record: a fine-particle index of 252 that the government’s Environmental Management Bureau calls “acutely unhealthy” and places only a step below the emergency threshold of 300.
The record numbers behind the alert
Air quality across the metro has deteriorated day after day since Tuesday. The Air Quality Index, or AQI, measures fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, microscopic particles small enough to slip past the nose and throat and travel deep into the lungs.
| Day | AQI reading | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, Sept. 1 | 152 to 173 | Very unhealthy |
| Wednesday, Sept. 2 | 203, 208, 215 | Acutely unhealthy |
| Thursday, Sept. 3 | peak of 252 | Acutely unhealthy |
The figure eased only slightly to 251 by late Thursday but stayed in the acutely unhealthy band. EMB-7 says it is the highest reading in its historical data, surpassing the levels seen during Indonesian fires in October 2015.
Why the air turned toxic
The haze is not homegrown. Wildfires in Kalimantan and Sumatra, Indonesia, are generating the smoke, and the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, is ferrying the fine particles across the sea toward the Visayas and Mindanao. EMB-7 monitoring specialist Arthur Niño Calupig said there is no clear timeline for relief because it depends on the fires and the winds.
What is being done
Several local governments suspended face-to-face classes, and the suspensions have been extended into Friday, Sept. 4 across Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Carcar and Talisay cities and Minglanilla town. Employers are being urged to allow work-from-home arrangements to limit exposure. For the full running list of shutdowns, see our Walang Pasok roundup.
Health authorities are bracing for a surge in breathing problems. DOH-7 has placed hospitals on heightened alert, directing them to check stocks of medicines and equipment and to consider priority lanes for respiratory cases. As of Thursday, no admissions had yet been directly tied to the haze.
The situation is part of the same transboundary plume that first reached Philippine skies in late August and that earlier sent Metro Manila’s air into unhealthy territory. It has now settled most heavily over Cebu.
How to protect yourself
- Wear an N95 or KN95 mask when going out. DOH-7 says a wet cloth is not a real substitute, and a surgical mask can be doubled or layered with a cloth mask when an N95 is unavailable.
- Stay indoors with windows closed where possible, especially in visibly hazy areas.
- Cut back on strenuous outdoor activity such as running or heavy exercise.
- Children, older adults and people with asthma or chronic lung disease should take extra care and limit time outdoors.
If you have asthma or a history of lung disease and start feeling symptoms, health officials advise you to see a doctor early rather than wait it out.
