THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) yesterday said it raised its benefit package for heat stroke patients to P8,450 earlier this year even before the country started experiencing extremely high temperatures.
In a text message, PhilHealth vice president for Corporate Affairs Rey Baleña said the higher rate is part of the increase in all benefit packages implemented by the agency earlier in the year.
“It used to be P6,500. But now, with the 30 percent increase that took effect last February 14, it is at P8,450 now,” said Baleña.
In a social media post, PhilHealth said: “In case one is hospitalized due to heat stroke or sun stroke, PhilHealth offers a benefit package of up to P8,450.00.”
The Department of Health has been urging the public to stay indoors amid the dangerous level of heat index being felt across the country.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) has been warning that heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely to be experienced by residents, while heat stroke is possible, when the heat index hits 42 to 51 degrees Celsius.
Heat stroke is considered as a medical emergency as its symptoms worsen the longer the treatment is delayed, thus increasing risks of serious complications or death.
Yesterday, the weather bureau said 36 areas, mostly in Luzon, will continue to experience dangerous heat indexes ranging from 42 to 46 degrees.
Three of these areas – Pasay City in Metro Manila, Dagupan City in Pangasinan, and Sangley Point in Cavite – are expected to have a 46-degree heat index, while Muñoz town in Nueva Ecija and Olongapo City in Zambales are projected to have a heat index of 45 degrees.
Thirty-one areas are forecast to have a heat index ranging from 42 to 44 degrees Celsius.
These are Quezon City in Metro Manila, Bacnotan town in La Union, Tuguegarao City and Aparri town in Cagayan, Echague town in Isabela, Iba town in Zambales, Clark in Pampanga, Baler and Casiguran towns in Aurora, and Abucay town in Bataan.
It will also be extremely hot in Tayabas City and Infanta, Alabat and Mulanay towns in Quezon; Tanauan town in Batangas, Calapan town in Oriental Mindoro, San Jose town in Occidental Mindoro, Puerto Princesa City and Aborlan town Palawan, Legazpi City in Albay, Virac town in Catanduanes, Masbate City in Masbate, Pili town in Camarines Sur, Roxas city in Capiz, Iloilo City and Dumangas town in Iloilo, Catarman town in Northern Samar, Guian town in Eastern Samar, Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga City in Zamboanga del Sur, and Butuan City in Agusan del Norte.
PAGASA defines heat index as the “measure of the contribution that high humidity makes with abnormally high temperatures in reducing the body’s ability to cool itself.”
CLASS SUSPENSIONS
The Department of Education (DepEd) yesterday said 7,188 public and private schools nationwide have suspended face-to-face classes due to the extreme heat. There are 47,678 schools nationwide.
DepEd said 1,765 schools in Central Luzon have resorted to alternative delivery mode; 1,389 in Western Visayas, 759 in the Ilocos region, 525 in Calabarzon, 456 in Mimaropa, 430 in Metro Manila, 413 in Bicol, 407 in Central Visayas, 335 in SOCCKSARGEN, and 246 in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
It said 164 schools in Zamboanga Peninsula, 109 in Cagayan Valley, 102 in Eastern Visayas, and 84 in the Davao region have also suspended in-person learning.
Only three schools in Region 10 or Northern Mindanao and one in Region 13 or Caraga have suspended face-to-face classes.
The DepEd Central Office has repeatedly said that school heads have the authority to suspend classes due to extreme heat.
In Metro Manila, the local governments of San Juan and Mandaluyong yesterday announced that F2F classes in public and private schools in all levels in their jurisdictions are suspended today.
Schools and universities were advised to shift to online or asynchronous classes. — With Victor Reyes, Ashzel Hachero and Christian Oineza
