FOUR coastal areas in the northern region are expected to feel extreme heat today, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.
In its forecast, PAGASA said the heat index will be in the “danger” level at 43 degrees Celsius in Dagupan City in Pangasinan, Aborlan town in Palawan, and Tuguegarao City and Aparri towns, both in Cagayan.
On the other hand, the weather bureau said five areas are forecast to have 42 degrees Celsius of heat index. These are Echague town in Isabela, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, Roxas City in Capiz, Zamboanga City in Zamboanga del Sur, and Cotabato City in Maguindanao del Norte.
PAGASA has classified under the danger level a heat index ranging from 42 to 51 degrees Celsius. It said heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely to be experienced, while heat stroke is possible under this condition.
In a related development, the state-run Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) has announced it will shift to online classes starting today until the end of the month.
“In consideration of the high heat index being experienced in the whole country and of the reported series of nationwide transport strikes, scheduled in-person classes in all PUP campuses shall shift to online mode of delivery starting April 15 until April 30,” said the April 12 advisory signed by PUP vice president for Academic Affairs Emanuel de Guzman.
However, the advisory said “laboratory classes as well as other scheduled curricular/extracurricular activities may proceed subject to consultation with students.”
Aside from its main campus in Sta. Mesa in the city of Manila, PUP also have campuses in Taguig City, Quezon City, San Juan City, Parañaque City, Mariveles in Bataan, Sta.Maria and Pulilan in Bulacan, Cabiao in Nueva Ecija; Lopez, Mulanay, General Luna and Unisan all in Quezon; Ragay in Camarines Sur, Sto.Tomas in Batangas, Maragondon and Alfonso in Cavite, Bansud in Oriental Mindoro, Sablayan in Occidental Mindorol; and Biñan, San Pedro, Sta. Rosa and Calauan, all in Laguna.
Meanwhile, the management of the Far Eastern University (FEU) advised students in its Manila and Makati campuses that online classes will proceed as scheduled today and on Tuesday due to the two-day transport strike of Piston and Manibela.
“Faculty will be asked to accommodate students who are affected by the transport strike and are unable to attend their classes,” FEU said in an advisory.
It also said that FEU High School will likewise have “online classes” today and tomorrow.
The University of the Philippines Diliman and Los Baños campuses have earlier recommended a shift to online classes amid the extreme heat being experienced throughout the country. — With Ashzel Hachero
