Cebu City Suspends In-Person Classes Due to Indonesian Haze

CEBU CITY, Philippines — In-person classes have been suspended for Monday, Sept. 21, in several areas in Cebu as transboundary haze from ongoing forest fires in Indonesia worsened air quality on Sunday, Sept. 20. Cebu City was the latest local government to announce the suspension. Mayor Nestor Archival suspended face-to-face classes at all levels in the city. The decision was made to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, and residents from the deteriorating air quality. Transboundary haze is typically caused by forest and peatland fires, often exacerbated by deliberate ignitions for land clearing, especially in Indonesia, which can significantly impact air quality in neighboring countries. Coastal areas like Cebu are particularly vulnerable to such atmospheric pollution. This suspension highlights the interconnectedness of environmental issues and public health in the Philippines. While the disruption to education is temporary, residents are urged to monitor haze conditions and take necessary health precautions. Authorities may implement further measures as air quality is continuously assessed. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo