CEBU is still not haze free, according to the regional Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-7).
EMB-7 Regional Director William Cunado said they noticed the erratic results of the air quality test taken from Monday evening until this afternoon.
Small dust particles measuring 2.5 micrometers in diameter reached an average value of 315 micrograms per normal cubic meter at 8:35 p.m. last Monday.
Today at 3 p.m, EMB-7 noted 49 micrograms per cubic meter. The standard value for small dust particles is 75 micrograms per normal cubic meter.
“Last Monday night it was high because of the slow wind velocity. Our equipment read a lot of data. Another factor is the temperature,” Cunado said in a phone interview.
Due to the erratic results, Cunado still encourages the public especially those who are at risk to wear N95 mask. “The dust particles are within the winds. Just to make sure, follow the preventive measures,” Cunado said.
Oscar Tabada, regional director for the state weather bureau Pagasa, said visibility in the skies continues to improve.
Yesterday, visibility reached to 10,000 kilometers. Tabada said the northeast monsoon or amihan winds continue to prevail, blowing away the haze from the country.
Rain can also help reduce the dust particles in the sky but Pagasa Mactan said there will be no rain this week.