CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Metro Cebu’s air quality index (AQI) reached the “very unhealthy” level yesterday, prompting Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival to issue a public advisory urging residents to take immediate protective measures.
At 1:30 p.m. yesterday, April 19, official monitoring data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) confirmed that the AQI at the Talisay City Station had climbed to 199, a level considered hazardous for the general public.
“Stay indoors if possible, avoid outdoor activities, ug kung mogawas, magsul-ob gyud ug N95 or KN95 mask,” Archival said.
The mayor also appealed for public cooperation.
“Magtinabangay ta ug mag-amping. Taking care and taking action para sa Cebu City. Stay safe, Cebu City,” he added.
Archival assured residents that the city government is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with concerned agencies.
“Ang Cebu City Government is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with concerned agencies to keep everyone informed and protected,” Archival said.
Archival’s warning came as EMB Central Visayas documented a three-day progression of worsening haze conditions.
On April 17, the bureau reported that Metro Cebu’s AQI had already breached safety thresholds, registering 101 at the Talisay Station, which was classified as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.”
EMB said particulate matter, or PM2.5, levels had exceeded guideline values and advised residents—particularly children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and those with asthma or chronic conditions—to remain indoors or wear N95 masks.
By April 18, the haze had thickened further, pushing the AQI to 112 by 8 a.m.
EMB reiterated its call for caution, explaining that the persistent haze was linked to stagnant air and localized emissions.
“The AQI increase from 101 yesterday to 112 today confirms that fine particulate matter continues to rise beyond safe levels,” the bureau said in its April 18 bulletin.
The advisory stressed that high-risk groups should avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure and that protective masks were essential for those who needed to go outside.
The situation worsened dramatically yesterday when EMB reported that the AQI had surged to 199 at 8 a.m., officially placing it under the “Very Unhealthy” category.
The bureau explained that hot weather and high-pressure systems had created stagnant air, preventing pollutants from dispersing.
“Without strong winds or rain to wash the atmosphere, pollutants from vehicles and industry don’t disperse; they hover over the city, creating the hazy conditions recently observed in Talisay and Cebu City,” EMB said.
The bureau also cited localized fires, including grass fires at Cebu City’s South Road Properties and residential or commercial fires in Pahina Central, as contributing factors.
EMB warned that at AQI 199, even healthy individuals may begin to experience throat irritation, coughing, or shortness of breath, while high-risk groups face significant danger of respiratory distress.
“At this level, the air quality is now a concern for everyone, not just those with pre-existing conditions,” the bureau stressed.
It strongly advised residents to keep windows closed, use air conditioning on recirculate mode, cancel outdoor activities, and wear well-fitted N95 or KN95 masks if going outside.
The public was also urged to seek immediate medical attention if experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, or severe wheezing.
With the haze lingering for three consecutive days, EMB stressed that the situation requires strict compliance with health advisories.
Mayor Archival’s call to mask up, stay indoors, and act together reinforces the urgency of protecting Cebu City residents until weather systems shift and pollutants disperse.
| Written by Caecent No-ot Magsumbol/FPL
