The environmental management bureau in central visayas (emb-7) has urged the public to avoid prolonged exposure to haze affecting cebu and negros oriental as air quality in parts of the region reaches dangerous levels. emb-7 regional director jed ang told the philippine news agency on thursday that the latest monitoring showed cebu's air quality index (aqi) had reached the "acutely unhealthy" category.:) has urged the public to avoid prolonged exposure to haze affecting Cebu and Negros Oriental as air quality in parts of the region reaches dangerous levels. EMB-7 Regional Director Jed Ang told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday that the latest monitoring showed Cebu's air quality index (AQI) had reached the "acutely unhealthy" category.

According to Philippines News Agency, although EMB-7 does not have air quality monitoring stations directly covering Negros Oriental, Ang said the trajectory of pollutants indicates that the haze is moving southwest toward the province. "Negros Oriental, which is close to Cebu, is almost equally experiencing a similar level of haze as Cebu," Ang said.

Photos circulating on social media on Thursday showed haze blanketing several areas of Metro Cebu. Ang said the haze affecting several parts of the country in recent days was associated with wildfires in Kalimantan, Indonesia. He said the situation in Cebu was particularly concerning because of elevated levels of fine particulate matter, or PM2.5.

"High levels of PM2.5 are microscopic particles that get into the bloodstream and are usually dangerous," Ang said, noting that prolonged exposure could contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory illnesses. Ang expressed hope that changing weather conditions, particularly rainfall, would help disperse the haze.

Several areas in the country, including the Negros Island Region, Cebu and other parts of the Visayas, have been experiencing moderate to heavy haze. Meanwhile, classes continued in public schools in Dumaguete City despite the haze alert. Dr. Juditha Mapue, assistant schools division superintendent of the Dumaguete City Schools Division, said they were awaiting further guidance from higher authorities and that no class suspension had been ordered as of Thursday.

Mapue said teachers and learners were being encouraged to wear face masks and observe safety protocols while the haze persists.