Public urged to wear protective MASK: Haze still in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — The haze remains in Cebu’s atmosphere, at least until yesterday, and authorities are urging the public to take precautionary steps, especially those who have sensitive health conditions.

"Naa pa gihapon siya. Dili pa ta makasulti nga wala na kay as I’ve said, ang normal namo nga reading katong wala pa ang haze, naa ra sa 15 to 30 for the past few months nga atong gitan-aw… gi-average namo gyud daily para makakita mi pila ang kantidad sa PM (particulate matter) 2.5 ug PM 10 (It’s still there. We can’t say it’s no longer here because the normal level of particulate matter we read was before the haze still… only at 15 to 30 for the past few months… we averaged it daily so we can see how much PM is present),” said Engr. Cindy Ochea, head of the Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement Division of Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) - 7.

“Ang PM 2.5 naa ra gyud ta sa mga 15 to 30 niya ang atoang PM 10 naa ra gyud siguro sa mga 50… ingon ana… karon, ni-shoot up gyud siya, nisaka siya, naay significant change sa atoang average mao na atoang gikuan nga naa pa gyud siya’y external factors aside sa local sources nato (PM 2.5 reaches about 15 to 30 and PM 10 is usually at 50… but, this time, the average went up significantly that’s why we can say that there are still external factors aside from the local sources),” Ochea added.

Twenty-four hour monitoring showed that PM 2.5 and PM 10 increase during peak hours.

Ochea said their data come from EMB’s different stations across Cebu, especially their manual stations in Cordova and in Banilad, Mandaue City where it is easiest for them to install equipment to measure air quality.

Ochea urged the public to wear protective gear like face mask and to stay indoors as much as possible.

Talisay City health officer, Dr. Lino Alanzado, agrees. Aside from wearing face masks, he also advised the public to eat healthy and nutritious food and to drink plenty of water.

At the Capitol, Provincial Board members approved a resolution warning the public on the health hazards of haze.

The haze has been a mixture of smoke from forest fires of Indonesia and the emissions from the exhaust of vehicles and various plants in Cebu.

The resolution was sponsored by Fourth District Board Member Kerrie Shimura, the chairperson for the Committee on Health and Social Services of the Provincial Board.

"In order to avoid the I'll effects of haze, the public is advised to wear protective equipment such as but not limited to dust masks, eye goggles, and are even advised to stay indoors if there is no important commitment outside by keeping your windows and doors closed in order not to avoid more air pollutants," the resolution reads.

Aside from this, the public is advised to monitor updates on the haze situation. (FREEMAN)