AMID the hot temperatures being experienced across the country, Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen yesterday said every Filipino home should have at least one air-conditioned room in their homes that they can use when the heat index reaches dangerous level.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Leonen said having an air-conditioner is no longer a luxury but more of a neccessity.
“Every Filipino home should have at least one room air-conditioned. This is no longer a luxury,” he tweeted, adding that all public spaces, including hospitals, clinics and jails, should also have air-condition units.
“Every new building built should be climate adaptive and resilient,” he said.
Leonen, the only magistrate with an active social media account, has been posting his personal comments on various national issues, among them the installation of bike lanes in Metro Manila to encourage commuters to use bicycles as an alternate mode of transport, and the construction of more accessible walkways instead of more roads to address traffic congestion.
The most senior magistrate in the High Court has also posted several times about love and relationship, branding himself as a “LabGuro.”
‘SANA ALL’
Leonen’s ‘air-con in all homes’ post elicited mixed reactions from netizens, with some saying that not all Filipinos can afford to buy air-conditioners and pay high electricity bills.
“Hope all of us can afford it,” a netizen who goes by the handle “Marilee 3959” said, a point echoed by another netizen who said: “Sana mura lang ang cost ng electricity sa Pinas (I hope the cost of electricity in the Philippines is affordable).”
Another echoed the same comment, saying her family could not afford the additional cost to pay for an air-conditioned room. “Ordinary people cannot even buy 1 kilo of rice let alone pay exorbitant electricity bills,” the netizen said.
There was also one commenter who said: “Long-term solution. A solution with lesser maintenance and longer effect to humanity (think of our future generation).”
There was one netizen who called Leonen’s attention and said even court rooms have problems with ventilation.
“Letting you know that I just went to MeTC (metropolitan trial court) Navotas and the receiving area is like hell (Sobrang init. 1 na nga lang ceiling fan sira pa [It was very hot.
There was only one ceiling fan and it wasn’t even working]). Kawawa po ang magiintay (You would really pity those who were waiting).”
Leonen, in replying to the comments, said he understood the sentiments of the public. “Not all can afford. That’s why those who can may want to help others,” he said.
“This might be where government and kind souls can help out. We have to help each other. Please imagine how others live,” he added.
Leonen said he also wants to see long-term measures to address the problem, in the meantime, “we can do some measures to alleviate the suffering of others.”
“Solutions need to understand the basic causes and be long term. But, in the meantime what do we do with those who are actually suffering? Share. Imagine those who have nothing and living through this heat wave. Check your lifestyle too,” he said.
As to ventilation problems in court rooms, Leonen said he has communicated with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to help out.
“Perhaps all our lawyers can also mobilize,” he said.
GRADUATION RITES
In a related development, the Department of Education (DepEd) has advised all schools nationwide to hold their end-of-school-year or EOSY rites, such as graduation and moving-up ceremonies, indoors.
“To ensure the safety and protection of learners, teachers and attendees, schools are advised to hold their EOSY Rites in indoor venues with proper ventilation or covered courts to avoid exposure to the extreme heat of the sun,” stated a DepEd memorandum dated May 2 and signed by Undersecretary Gina Gonong.
The memorandum said schools should avoid scheduling their EOSY rites “during the time of the day when temperatures are at their highest.”
The DepEd has set May 29 to 31 as dates for the holding of all EOSY rites.
The department has earlier said that more than 7, 700 schools out of the 47, 678 schools nationwide have suspended face-to-face classes due to the extreme heat and are implementing alternative distance learning mode.
