The Department of Health in Central Visayas is urging residents to regularly wear protective face masks as transboundary haze continues to affect Metro Cebu.
The warning came after the Environmental Management Bureau 7 recorded an Air Quality Index of 114 in Cebu on September 22, placing the area in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category.
Children, senior citizens and people with existing respiratory conditions are being advised to limit outdoor activities, particularly when air quality deteriorates. For those who need to go outside, DOH-7 recommends using properly fitted N95 or KN95 masks to reduce exposure to fine airborne particles.
Health officials also warned residents to watch for symptoms such as persistent or severe coughing, difficulty breathing, irritation of the nose and throat, or worsening respiratory conditions. Anyone experiencing these symptoms is advised to consult a doctor or seek medical attention at the nearest health facility.
The latest advisory marks the fourth consecutive day of poor air quality in the affected areas, with authorities linking the haze to smoke from ongoing forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia.
The current conditions follow a more severe haze episode earlier in September, when Metro Cebu’s PM2.5 Air Quality Index reached 252, classified as “Acutely Unhealthy.” At that level, health authorities advised everyone to reduce outdoor exposure and use protective masks when going outside.
DOH-7 has previously advised people to avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure and strenuous activities when air quality is poor. Health facilities in Central Visayas have also been placed on heightened alert and instructed to prepare for a possible increase in patients experiencing respiratory problems.
Authorities continue to monitor air-quality readings as the haze moves across parts of the Visayas. Residents are being encouraged to follow official advisories and adjust outdoor activities depending on the latest air-quality conditions.
