THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday said 22 areas are forecast to experience “danger” level heat index today, with Dagupan City in Pangasinan sweltering under a 45 degrees Celsius temperature.
A heat index ranging from 42 to 51 degrees Celsius has been classified by PAGASA under the danger level. It said heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely to be experienced by residents, while heat stroke is possible under this condition.
On the other hand, the weather bureau said Aborlan town in Palawan, Pili town in Camarines Sur, and Zamboanga City in Zamboanga del Sur are expected to experience a heat index of 43 degrees.
The temperature will like be scorching in Pasay City, Laoag City in Ilocos Sur, Bacnotan town in La Union, Tuguegarao City and Aparri town both in Cagayan, Echague town in Isabela, Muñoz town in Nueva Ecija, Baler and Casiguran towns in Aurora, Sangley Point in Cavite, San Jose town in Occidental Mindoro, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, Virac town in Catanduanes, Masbate City in Masbate, Roxas City in Capiz, Iloilo City and Dumangas town in Iloilo and Catarman town in Northern Samar with a 42 degrees heat index.
Amid the sizzling temperatures being recorded in several parts of the country, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) yesterday said private hospitals are starting to see patients hit with heat-related illnesses.
In an interview, PHAPI president Dr. Jose de Grano said: “There are already those seeking consultation in the emergency rooms (ERs) but were sent home after they stabilized.”
“So far, we have yet to get reports of fatalities because of heat stroke,” he added.
The PHAPI head said most of the cases are senior citizens experiencing heat-related illnesses.
“They are more vulnerable because their body cannot respond well with the changes in temperature,” he explained.
To note, heat stroke is a serious heat-related illness that occurs when the body temperature rises rapidly above 40°C, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down.
Untreated heatstroke can quickly damage one’s brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles.
With high temperatures during the day not expected to go down soon, De Grano echoed the precautionary measures issued by the Department of Health (DOH), which include drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding going outdoors during the day, and wearing thin or comfortable clothing.
Meanwhile, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) appealed to the Department of Education (DepEd) to allow teachers, non-teaching personnel and even students to dress in their preferred comfortable alternatives when reporting for classes, noting that some of the shirts mentioned by the department as alternative uniform are “uncomfortable” to wear.
Aside from being uncomfortable because of the thick fabric, the ACT said some of the shirts prescribed by the DepEd on Monday as alternative uniforms have colors similar to the colors used in the 2022 election campaign.
“To be honest, the white collared shirts with the DepEd and Matatag logos has a thick and uncomfortable fabric and for the DepEd to require us to wear it would be uncomfortable,” ACT chairperson Vladimir Quetua said, adding that the other collared shirts mentioned made them seem like “campaign managers for the Marcos-Duterte team” since they are colored red and green.
He added that the DepEd should ensure that teachers and non-teaching personnel will not be “financially burdened by having to adhere to their set guidelines.”
“What we are asking is for the DepEd to ease this policy and we hope that this will be revised to allow us to wear choices of clothing that would remain compliant with our civil service rules,” Quetua pointed out.
In an advisory on Monday, the DepEd said teachers and non-teaching staff may use “collared DepEd polo shirts” that they previously used in DepEd events and activities such as for Brigada Eskwela, Palarong Pambansa, Oplan Balik Eskwela and Regional, Division and School Press Conferences.
Teachers and non-teaching personnel may also wear “white collared polo shirts with the DepEd and MATATAG logo.”
The DepEd said teachers and non-teaching personnel should pair the said alternative uniform with “matte black pants” whether it is slacks, jeans or cargo pants.
Sought for comment on the ACT’s appeal, DepEd Undersecretary and spokesperson Michael Poa said the department did not prescribe any color for the alternative uniform.
“Wala pong prescribed colors ng DepEd collared shirt. Any existing DepEd collared shirt may be worn. Kahit ano pong DepEd collared shirt na meron na ang ating mga guro na nagamit sa Palaro, Brigada Eskwela, Balik Eskwela and other DepEd activities (There are no prescribed colors of the DepEd collared shirt. Any existing DepEd collared shirts may be worn. Any DepEd collared shirt that our teachers already have and used in the Palaro, Brigada Eskwela, Balik Eskwela, and other DepEd activities will do),” Poa said. — With Gerard Naval and Ashzel Hachero
