The air quality in Cebu has returned to the "good category" as announced by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) in Central Visayas on Saturday, July 11, 2026.
Monitoring Stations Show Improvement
According to DENR-EMB telemetry stations via the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) in Talisay City, it is now safe for residents to go outside, exercise, or open windows. Meanwhile, the CAAQMS in Toledo City reported that air quality is cleaner compared to previous days.
Impact of Mt. Kanlaon Eruption
The improvement follows the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on July 9, 2026, which blanketed Cebu's southern and western portions with ash. Despite the progress, DENR urged Cebuanos to remain cautious as the volcano remains under Alert Level 2. This indicates that the volcano may experience more volcanic earthquakes, increased gas emissions such as sulfur dioxide, and occasional sudden eruptions or ash plumes.
Ongoing Risks and Precautions
Since the southwest monsoon (habagat) continues to affect Cebu, residents are advised to monitor the possibility of acid rain due to the mixing of sulfur dioxide from the volcano with rain and environmental moisture. DENR encourages residents not to be complacent and to continue wearing face masks when going outside, and to ensure food is clean by washing or covering it properly to avoid ash contamination.
