No ‘state of emergency’ yet in haze-plagued Cebu City

Local

CEBU City is not yet considering a state of emergency over the haze affecting Metro Cebu. This, even as air quality again reached the “very unhealthy” category on Monday, Sept. 7.

Mayor Nestor Archival’s Chief of Staff Kenneth Siasar said the city government continues to monitor the situation and has prepared measures for residents experiencing respiratory difficulties, including a fast lane at city hospitals for haze-related breathing problems.

“Murag layo pa. Hopefully dili lang unta,” Siasar said when asked whether the city was nearing a declaration of a state of emergency.

As of 11 a.m. Monday, the Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas (EMB-7) recorded an air quality index of 157 at its Metro Cebu monitoring station, classified as “very unhealthy.”

The station earlier recorded a PM2.5 AQI of 158 at 7 a.m.

The fluctuating air quality has been linked to fine particulate matter transported toward Central Visayas amid continuing forest fires in Indonesia and changing wind conditions.

Siasar said Cebu City hospitals began preparing for a possible increase in patients experiencing breathing difficulties last week.

The city prepared nebulizers and other medicines and established a fast lane for patients experiencing respiratory problems associated with the haze, separate from the existing fast lane for dengue patients.

Siasar said some residents with asthma have already experienced exacerbation of their condition because of the deteriorating air quality.

Cebu City Medical Center has also recorded haze-affected patients in its emergency room and outpatient department, although Siasar said the number remains minimal.

He said city personnel have also been affected, including some employees who experience asthma symptoms.

Meanwhile, the city government has continued its suspension of face-to-face classes and school activities for younger students while allowing college students to continue attending onsite classes.

Siasar said the distinction stems from the city government’s assessment that younger children face greater difficulty protecting themselves from exposure to unhealthy air.

College students, he said, are considered capable of taking greater responsibility for their own protection, including consistently wearing masks when outdoors.

He contrasted this with younger children who may remove their masks while playing or may not fully understand the risks posed by breathing polluted air.

EMB-7 continues to monitor Metro Cebu’s air quality and assess the potential health impacts of the haze.

The bureau has advised residents to remain indoors and cancel or postpone outdoor activities while air quality remains at unhealthy levels. Those who must go outside are advised to use well-fitting N95 or KN95 masks.

Children, senior citizens and people with respiratory or heart conditions face greater health risks from exposure to elevated particulate matter.

Siasar urged residents, particularly children and senior citizens, to avoid unnecessary trips outdoors while the haze persists.

Residents who need to leave home should wear masks, especially those with asthma or other respiratory conditions.

“Kung dili kayo importante ang paggawas nato, let’s refrain from going out,” Siasar said.(TGP)