Students back to school as Metro Cebu air quality improves

Local

AFTER nearly a week of disrupted classes, Cebu students returned to classrooms Thursday, Sept. 10, as Metro Cebu’s air quality improved to the “fair” level.

The Environmental Management Bureau-Central Visayas (EMB 7) recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 98 at its Metro Cebu monitoring station as of 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10.

The reading was a sharp improvement from the AQI of 252 recorded on Sept. 3, when Metro Cebu reached the “acutely unhealthy” category and posted the highest level recorded in EMB 7’s historical monitoring.

EMB 7 said it continues to monitor ambient air quality to determine the presence, extent and potential health effects of the haze affecting the region.

Its monitoring station in Toledo City recorded an AQI of 34 as of 11 a.m., placing the area under the “good” classification.

The improved readings coincided with the resumption of face-to-face classes in all public and private schools in Cebu City on Thursday following a directive from Mayor Nestor Archival issued Wednesday evening.

The city government said the decision was based on the continued decline in particulate matter concentrations.

However, transboundary particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, remains present because of regional wind patterns, prompting the city to retain precautionary measures in schools.

Students with asthma, allergic rhinitis, active respiratory illnesses or cardiovascular conditions remain automatically excused from physical attendance and may use alternative learning modalities without academic penalty.

Schools were also directed to keep outdoor activities indoors until air quality fully stabilizes.

These include physical education classes, sports practices, flag ceremonies and recess.

The city advised students to wear N95 or KN95 masks, especially during outdoor commutes and while moving between school buildings.

Schools were further advised to keep classroom doors and windows closed during early morning peak commuting hours, particularly before 10 a.m., to limit the entry of outdoor particulate matter.

Face-to-face classes will again be suspended and shifted to distance learning if real-time PM2.5 monitoring records an AQI above 150 in two consecutive readings.

The Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, EMB 7 and the Department of Health Central Visayas will continue monitoring air quality and providing updates.

The haze earlier affected several areas of Cebu after wildfires in Kalimantan and Sumatra, Indonesia, sent particulate matter toward the Visayas and Mindanao through prevailing southwest winds, or habagat.

EMB 7 urged residents to continue checking official air quality readings and advisories because conditions may still change depending on wind patterns and particulate matter concentrations.(MyTVCebu)