Lawmaker suggests signal warnings for heat

‘HOT’ ITEM A vendor prepares a block of ice for crushing before it is sold in Marikina City’s public market on Tuesday. Demand for ice has soared amid the intense heat. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — If there are signal levels for typhoons, how about heat signal levels as well?

This was the proposal of Manila Rep. Joel Chua, who called on local governments to issue ordinances or executive orders establishing standard measures and protocols on the heat index affecting their communities.

For example, when prevailing heat levels are at 27 to 32 degrees Celsius—categorized as “caution” by the state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa)—“the mayor, governors, barangay chairpersons and their local legislative bodies” can liken that level to Signal No. 1 during a typhoon, Chua said.

Their constituents can then be advised to get out of the sun, stay indoors and inform their barangays of their health status, he suggested.

Chua said “extreme caution” heat index levels (33ºC to 41ºC) can be likened to Signal No. 2. Classes from kindergarten to Grade 6 should be suspended, while high school students should not have any outdoor activities and should stay indoors, keep hydrated and eat.

Seniors and persons with disabilities, comorbidities and other special needs should stay home, while barangay health workers and emergency response teams should be mobilized to respond to emergencies with onsite first aid and hydration remedies.

Like Signal No. 3

At the “danger” (42ºC to 51ºC) and “extreme danger” (52ºC and above) levels, classes and work in the public and private sectors should be suspended, including weekend activities. Chua said these levels are equivalent to Signal No. 3 during typhoons.

Everyone must stay indoors and keep hydrated. All emergency response offices and personnel should be on red alert and ready to assist, particularly seniors, people with special needs, infants and children, he said.

Price controls should be in place to make sure businesses do not overprice water, ice and non-alcoholic beverages.

The lawmaker further suggested mandatory energy and water conservation measures in all offices under the “extreme caution to extreme danger” levels.

He recommended that golf courses be watered only at night.

Barangay officials should train their residents on first aid for heat exhaustion, heatstroke and other emergencies, he said.

‘Danger’

Pagasa said nine areas in the country will be under the “danger” heat index level in the next two days: Dagupan City; Bacnotan, La Union; Sangley Point, Cavite; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Puerto Princesa City and Aborlan in Palawan; Roxas City, Capiz; Guiuan, Eastern Samar; and Cotabato City.

On Tuesday, 12 areas in the country were monitored to be under the “danger” level, with temperatures ranging from 42ºC to 44ºC.

These are Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila; Dagupan City; Ambulong village in Tanauan City, Batangas; Sangley Point, Cavite; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Puerto Princesa City and Aborlan in Palawan; Daet, Camarines Norte; Virac, Catanduanes; Roxas City, Capiz; Catarman, Northern Samar; and Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

Puerto Princesa and Dagupan have been under the “danger” level for the past five days, Pagasa said.