Smoke over Cebu: From Indonesia wildfires?

CEBU, Philippines - For the past days, Cebu and nearby areas have experienced what appears to be haze or smog.

Cebuanos, particularly those online, initially took this as something that came with the typhoon that entered the country recently. That was until “Jenny” exited but the thick clouds remained.

With this, authorities are investigating claims that smoke from wildfires that hit neighboring Southeast Asian countries has reached the Philippines.

PAGASA Mactan chief meteorologist Al Quiblat says they suspect the same but the agency is currently conducting thorough investigation on what is causing the thick haze hovering over Cebu and other areas.

“Ang atong nasinati karon kaning haze nga gitawag nato. Ug ang atong duda ani kaning haze nga nasinati nato gikan ni didto sa wildfire didto sa Sumatra, Indonesia. Ang atong hangin naggikan sa habagatan ug kasadpan. Ug kanang Indonesia habagatan kasadpan sad na. So ang aso nga nagda ug mga suspended particles naabot dinhi sa atoa,” Quiblat said.

The weather authority added that PAGASA weather stations in Mindanao have noted more prominent haze-like phenomenon in their area.

“In fact, ang atong monitoring sa PAGASA Mindanao mas grabe ang ilahang nasinati nga haze ingon man sa Palawan maong bungad kaayo sa Indonesia. This has something to do with the weather condition kay di man na kaabot ang haze dinhi sa atoa kung wala ang hanging habagat,” he said.

PAGASA Visayas Director Oscar Tabada said the light to moderate smoke has shrouded Cebu Province, Siquijor, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Davao City and Palawan Island since last week.

Because of this, the mountains of Cebu, normally within sight of anywhere on the island, can barely be seen.

He added that if it was ordinary haze or fog it will disappear in the presence of sunlight.

“Unfortunately, it stays,” he said.

He said they are still inquiring from the Asean Specialised Metereological Center based in Singapore about the current haze situation here, but while waiting for ASMC’s response, Tabada said they are closely monitoring the situation. Tabada said the situation can’t be neglected as it might affect or hamper the country’s operations either in transportation or tourism. He cited that one of the flights at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport was recently cancelled due to hazy weather.

“Angay gyod tan’g mabalaka kay kun magpadayon ni daghan flights and sea trips ang ma-cancel gumikan sa kamubo sa visibility dala sa baga nga aso,” he said.

Apart from that, he said health issues might arise like in South Sumatra where 22,585 cases of acute respiratory tract infection have been reported since last week.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources assured that the air quality in Cebu is still within normal range, in fact, it is categorized as “fair” and “good” based on the guidelines set by the Clean Air Act or Republic Act 8749.

This means, there is no trace of toxic contamination in the quality of air as checked and measured by environment authorities.

With this, DENR-7 spokesman Eddie Llamedo assured that Cebu is still breathing clean air but added that their agency is coordinating with key agencies to check on the source of the thick smoke hovering over Cebu and neighboring provinces.

The use of face masks, the Department of Health-7 pointed out, is not advisable as of the moment due to the absence of recommendation from DENR.

The haze-like phenomenon will last until the wildfires are completely put out, Quiblat said. — /BRP (FREEMAN)