THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday asked local government units (LGUs) and the private sector to help in the fight against heat-related illnesses amid the high heat indexes being recorded in the country.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in bus terminals, where thousands of people converge every day, “we encourage them to provide shade, electric fan, and drinking water to those that waiting there.”
Four areas experienced “danger level” heat indexes yesterday, according to the
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
These are Dagupan City in Pangasinan which experienced a heat index of 43 degrees Celsius, and Aparri in Cagayan, Cuyo in Palawan, and Cotabato City in Maguindanao del Norte which all experienced a heat index of 42 degrees.
PAGASA classifies heat index ranging from 42 to 51 degrees Celsius as dangerous. In this level, people are likely to experience heat cramps and heat exhaustion, and heat stroke is probable if there is continued exposure.
Three areas are forecast to have danger level heat index today, PAGASA said.
These are Dagupan City (44 degrees), and Cuyo and Cotabato City, both 42 degrees.
Tomorrow, only one area is forecast to have a danger level heat index — Dagupan City (44 degrees).
Pasay City and Quezon City yesterday experienced a heat index of 38 and 36 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Pasay City is forecast to have a heat index of 39 degrees Celsius today and 41 degrees Celsius tomorrow.
For Quezon City, it is forecast to have a heat index of 37 degrees today and 39 degrees Celsius tomorrow.
Heat index ranging from 33 to 41 degrees Celsius is considered by PAGASA as “extreme caution” level. Heat cramps and heat exhaustion are possible and continuing activity could lead to heat stroke.
The DOH earlier issued guidelines on the prevention and management of heat-related illnesses, the setting up of “cooling centers” and “hydration stations” for the general public.
In the memorandum, the DOH said cooling centers should be air-conditioned and/or well-ventilated and accessible to all especially high-risk persons like pregnant women, children, the elderly, and persons with disability.
The cooling centers should be close to public transportation routes.
The hydration stations, the DOH said, should make available to the public clean and safe drinking water from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
