DENR official: Haze in Cebu is not from Indonesia


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What’s the source of Cebu’s haze problem?

“A thin blanket of haze has been observed over Cebu the past few days, raising fears among residents that the haze from wildfires in Sumatra, Indonesia, which has affected Singapore late last month, has reached the province,” reports Mars W. Mosqueda Jr. in Manila Bulletin.

However, Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Central Visayas office (DENR-7) information officer Eddie Llamedo, however, said that “initial monitoring of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) showed that the haze caused by Indonesia’s wildfire has not reached the Philippine area of responsibility.”

“So far, we have found no traces or pieces of evidence. This is something we should not be alarmed of. It is also impossible that the episode will be experienced here in the Philippines considering the distance, wind velocity and dispersion level,” Llamedo said.

The report noted: “Llamedo made the statement after Al Quiblat, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Mactan station chief, told a local daily that the haze affecting Cebu could be due to the effect of the wildfires that occurred in Sumatra, Indonesia last month. Quiblat said that mist around Cebu’s skyline has already affected inbound air travel because the haze has reached a point where one can no longer see beyond 10 kilometers from the ground.”

Regardless of where the haze comes from, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of the Philippines said it has already affected airline operations.

Meanwhile, Llamedo further said that the latest air quality monitoring in strategic areas in Metro Cebu showed that air quality still ranged from fair to good.



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