EMB-7 can’t determine when haze will end

CEBU, Philippines — While the Environmental Management Bureau-7 has been monitoring the haze over Cebu, the bad news is that there is no definite period when this problem will be over.

Based on EMB-7 monitoring, the guideline value of Particulate Matter or PM 2.5 has been fluctuating depending on the time of the day. The agency has stations in Talisay City, Mandaue City, Cordova town and at the I.T. Park in Cebu City.

The presence of haze in Cebu has been due to the forest fires in Indonesia.

EMB-7 Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement Division chief Cindy Ochea said their Talisay City Station monitoring showed fluctuating results as it noted an increase of PM 2.5 in Cebu from 5 p.m. up to 9 p.m. the other day. PM 2.5 has again increased from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. yesterday.

In line with this, EMB-7 has urged the public to take precautionary measures, saying that people should stay indoor and hydrated and that those who need to go out should bring a mask.

"Base sa amoang theory though we have, daghan ang sources napa pa gyud tay external factors sa atong haze," said Ochea.

EMB-7 is hoping for rain since this can help lessen the concentration of the pollutants.

Ochea made it clear that like the haze in Cebu in 2015, they cannot determine when the present smog will last.

Ochea added that they failed to gather update on Cebu’s air quality last night as they experienced some technical difficulties. —  Dicee May Padillla, LPM (FREEMAN)