What’s causing haze, poor air quality in Cebu?
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Local vehicular and industrial emissions, along with recent fires and extreme heat, are likely driving the worsening air quality across Metro Cebu, an air quality expert said.
Metro Cebu has been under a persistent haze since April 17.
Monitoring stations recorded elevated levels of pollutants that have pushed air quality to “very unhealthy” levels, according to the Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas (EMB-7).
READ: ‘Very unhealthy’: Metro Cebu air quality plummets on Sunday
Local emissions
Engr. Arthur Niño Calupig, an air quality monitoring specialist from EMB-7, said that current hazardous air quality levels are most likely caused by localized emissions from vehicles and industries in highly urbanized areas.
“Wala pa tay fixed nga hinungdan, pero sa karon atong gitanaw ang localized emissions (We have not determined a fixed reason, but we are considering localized emissions),” Calupig told reporters on Monday, April 20.
He added that recent fire incidents may have worsened the situation, citing a grass fire in South Road Properties and a residential fire in Pahina Central.
READ: Haze: What health risks does it pose?
Calupig clarified that EMB-7 has not detected external pollution sources, unlike previous episodes of unhealthy air quality linked to haze from forest fires in Indonesia in 2019.
“Wala pa tay nakita nga external [sources] or from other countries (We haven’t seen external sources of the pollution),” Calupig said.
High temperatures
High temperatures currently recorded in Cebu are also contributing to the buildup of pollutants in the atmosphere.
Based on data from the Visayas Pagasa Regional Services Division, recent actual temperatures ranged from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. Heat indices have reached up to 37 degrees Celsius across parts of Cebu Province.
Calupig explained that hot weather creates high-pressure systems that trap pollutants, preventing them from dispersing due to weak winds and lack of rainfall.
READ: Metro Cebu haze: EMB urges precaution for at-risk groups
“Kung init ang panahon, ang pollutants nga naa sa hangin kay mas gaan. Mas steady sila sa hangin, walay posibilidad nga monaog,” he said.
(If the weather is hot, the pollutants in the air are lighter. They tend to stay suspended in the air and are less likely to settle down.)
The EMB-7 also described the phenomenon as “zero dispersion.”
That’s when the absence of wind allows smoke, dust, and emissions to accumulate instead of being blown away.
Health risks
The lingering haze has developed from suspended fine particles such as dust, smoke, and industrial emissions. It has reduced visibility and raised health concerns among residents in Metro Cebu.
Authorities warned that vulnerable groups face higher risks of adverse health effects from prolonged exposure. They include children, the elderly, and individuals with asthma or bronchitis.
Calupig advised the public to wear properly fitted N95 or equivalent masks when going outdoors. Doing so will reduce inhalation of harmful particles.
READ: Mask up: How to protect yourself as Cebu’s air turns ‘very unhealthy’
The bureau also recommended keeping windows and doors closed and sealing gaps with damp cloth to prevent polluted air from entering homes.
Residents are encouraged to stay indoors as much as possible, especially during peak pollution hours in the late afternoon.
Calupig noted that pollution levels typically peak between 5 and 6 p.m. That coincides with rush hour and cooler temperatures that affect pollutant movement.
Monitoring continues
Data showed that the spike in pollution began as early as April 13, when fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels reached an air quality index of 110. This is categorized as unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Air quality slightly improved from an index of 199 on April 19 to 177 on the morning of April 20. But it remained within the “very unhealthy” category.
Calupig described the current situation as “alarming.”
Pollution levels are affecting the general population and are among the highest recorded in recent years.
The EMB-7 has expanded monitoring efforts by operating five stations across Metro Cebu, with the Talisay City station serving as the primary continuous monitoring site.
READ: Metro Cebu ‘haze’ on Friday ‘unhealthy’ for vulnerable groups
There is no clear timeline yet on when the haze will dissipate, as pollution levels continue to persist amid sustained high temperatures.
Calupig said rainfall could help clear the air, while reducing vehicle use may lessen emissions and improve overall air quality.
He added that long-term solutions include transitioning to electric vehicles and exploring artificial rain interventions. The latter, however, may be costly.
The EMB-7 has since coordinated with the Department of Health to strengthen public advisories on health risks. It’s also working with local authorities on further measures.
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