The air quality in Metro Cebu as of 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 12, was ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups.’ (EMB-7)
CEBU CITY – Due to poor air quality, several areas in Metro Cebu suspended face-to-face classes on Monday, Oct. 12.
Among those that cancelled in-person classes for all levels were the local government units of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and Talisay cities and the towns of Consolacion, Minglanilla, Compostela, and Liloan.
These LGUs instructed schools to shift to online classes.
“This precautionary measure aims to protect the health and safety of our students, teachers, and school personnel amid unhealthy air quality,” Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said.
The suspension of physical classes came on the eve of the announcement of the Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas (EMB-7) that air quality in Metro Cebu deteriorated once again.
On Sunday, the air quality index (AQI) in Metro Cebu rached 180 which fell under the “very unhealthy” category.
On Monday morning, Oct. 12, the AQI hit 156 which still fell within “very unhealthy levels.”
In its 4 p.m. advisory on Monday, the AQI improved to 140 but was still “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
With the poor air quality, children, elderly, and individuals with existing respiratory conditions are discouraged from going outdoors.
Wearing masks was also recommended for those venturing outdoors.
The EMB-7 attributed the poor air quality to local pollutants such as emissions from vehicles and industrial outputs.
The prevailing amihan (northeast monsoon) also contributed to the poor air quality, the agency said.
