SIX areas in Luzon are forecast to experience danger level heat index today, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) said.
They are Aparri town and Tuguegarao City, both in Cagayan, which are projected to have a heat index of 44 degrees Celsius, PAGASA said in a forecast.
Dagupan City in Pangasinan and Puerto Princesa in Palawan are forecast to have a heat index of 43 degrees while Laoag City in Ilocos Norte and Daet town in Camarines Norte are projected to have a 42-degree of heat index.
PAGASA has said that heat indexes of 42 to 51 degrees Celsius are classified under the “danger” category.
Under the danger level, “heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely; heat stroke is probable with continued exposure,” it said.
Heat index is different from actual temperature as it is the measure of the temperature that a person feels. The extreme weather condition has led more over 5,200 schools nationwide to suspend face-to-face classes.
Amid the scorching heat, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said an employee may choose not to report for work if doing so will endanger his/her well-being.
“Extreme heat is a form of weather disturbance, like El Niño. If reporting will expose the worker to danger, whether actual or imminent, then the worker is justified not to report/render work,” he said.
“(This is) not simply because of extreme heat but also due to unsafe and unhealthy conditions,” he added,
Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez, who said Labor Advisory No. 17-2022 covers all weather conditions.
“The concept of imminent danger applies to all unsafe conditions that may be brought about by human-induced and natural calamity/disturbances, including extreme heat/El Niño,” said Benavidez.
Under Labor Advisory No. 17-2022, employees, who fail or refuse to work by reason of imminent danger resulting from weather disturbances and similar occurrences, shall not be subject to any administrative sanction.
However, the Labor Advisory provides that, if unworked, the employee is not entitled to regular pay, except when there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement granting payment of wages on the said day, or when the employee is allowed to utilize his/her accrued leave credits.
Laguesma, though, stressed that the employee must inform his/her employer to avoid any misunderstanding in the workplace.
“It is incumbent on the worker to inform/notify the employer for the guidance of the latter so that contingency measures can be put in place and adopted,” said Laguesma.
BENEFIT PACKAGE
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) said there is a benefit package for members hit by heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
“Members admitted at any PhilHealth-accredited health facility due to heat stroke or heat exhaustion are entitled to a benefit package amounting to P6,500,” it said.
It said the benefit package includes the P4,550 for hospital fees and P1,950 for professional fees.
Extended heat exposure increases the probability of one suffering from heat stroke, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion.
Heat stroke is considered a medical emergency, as its symptoms worsen the longer the treatment is delayed, thus increasing risks of serious complications or death.
Despite the availability of a benefit package, though, the state-run health insurer said it would be better if the public will avoid medical issues.
PhilHealth reminded its members to take “extra precautions against heat-related illnesses like drinking plenty of water while avoiding iced tea, soda, coffee, or alcoholic drinks.
The public is also advised to limit time spent outdoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.; using protection against sunburn, such as hats, umbrellas, and sunblock; and wearing loose fitting and light clothing.
The Marikina government suspend in-person classes at all levels for both private and public schools in the city today due to the heat.
“The decision was reached after comprehensive consultations with the DepEd- Marikina School Division Office, school heads, and parents, in accordance with the directive outlined in DepEd MEMORANDUM No. 2024-04 — 02477,” said Mayor Marcelino Teodoro.
He added the city government aims to create a conducive learning environment for the youth by prioritizing the well-being of its students and educators during challenging weather conditions.
“Furthermore, this adjustment gives our students an opportunity, from Saturday to Wednesday, to spend time with their families at home, thus promoting stronger familial bonds and affording much needed rest while studying,” he said.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, a situation report in connection with the El Niño, said 17 towns and one city are under state of calamity due to the weather phenomenon that increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions that may lead to dry spells and droughts.
The El Niño, which the extreme heat is being attributed to, is forecast to peak in intensity in the first quarter of this year and its effects are seen to be felt until August.
Eleven of the towns are in Occidental Mindoro which has declared a province-wide state of calamity. The seven others are Zamboanga City in Zamboanga del Sur, Bulalacao and Mansalay towns in Oriental Mindoro, San Andres town in Romblon, San Vicente town in Palawan, and Mayoyao town in Ifugao.
Damage to agriculture from El Niño remained at P1.23 billion. These are in Western Visayas (P678.7 million), Mimaropa (P319.75 million), Cagayan Valley (P180.47 million), Ilocos region (P54.45 million), Calabarzon (P2.75 million) and Zamboanga Peninsula (P.71 million).
The NDRRMC said 26,731.4 hectares of crops were affected by El Niño.
Also, the NDRRMC said 29,409 famers and fisherfolks were also affected by the calamity. — With Gerard Naval and Christian Oineza
