Recent heavy rains have helped improve air quality across Metro Cebu, with the region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) falling into the “Fair” category after several days of elevated pollution linked to transboundary haze from Indonesia.
The Environmental Management Bureau 7 recorded an AQI of 94 in Metro Cebu at 4 p.m. on September 23, 2026, down from 97 at 11 a.m. and 103 at 7 a.m. The 7 a.m. reading was classified as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,” while the later readings were classified as “Fair.”
The improvement came as Cebu experienced rain showers and thunderstorms. Rainfall can temporarily lower concentrations of airborne particulate matter by washing some pollutants from the atmosphere, although air quality can rise again depending on wind conditions and the continued presence of smoke sources.
The haze affecting Metro Cebu has been associated with smoke and fine particles from fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Changing wind patterns have helped transport the pollution toward parts of the Philippines, causing significant fluctuations in air quality across Central Visayas.
The change is particularly notable after Metro Cebu recorded an AQI of 296 on September 20, a level classified as “Acutely Unhealthy.” The reading later fell to 248 that afternoon, then to 167 on September 21 and 105 on September 22.
Air quality has also varied considerably across Cebu. At the EMB 7 monitoring station in Barangay Cabitoonan, Toledo City, the AQI was 38 at 4 p.m. on September 23, classified as “Good.” The station recorded readings of 39 at 11 a.m. and 42 at 7 a.m., also within the “Good” range.
The improvement follows several days of health concerns related to the haze. Authorities previously advised people with respiratory conditions to limit strenuous outdoor activity and recommended properly fitted N95 or KN95 respirators for those who need to spend time outdoors while pollution levels remain elevated.
Weather conditions are expected to remain a factor in Cebu’s air quality. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has forecast partly cloudy to cloudy skies with rain showers or thunderstorms over the Visayas, with localized thunderstorms expected to continue producing intermittent rain in Cebu.
Despite the improvement, environmental officials continue to monitor the situation because rainfall provides only temporary relief. Changes in wind direction, wind speed and the continuing fires in Indonesia could cause particulate pollution to rise again.
For now, the latest readings indicate a significant improvement in Metro Cebu’s air quality, but authorities continue to urge residents to monitor official advisories as weather and haze conditions can change throughout the day.
