Climate change: East Visayas suffers from 35-degree Celsius days

TACLOBAN CITY—While Manila and other parts of Luzon have been experiencing rains, this city has to contend with “hot” weather, an unusual occurrence this time of the year.

“Under our normal weather pattern, we are supposed to experience some heavy rains as we are entering our rainy season. But since the start of this month, we have yet to experience some rains,” said Anthony Sanchez, weather forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) Tacloban station.

Sanchez said Tacloban experienced its hottest day last Wednesday this month with a temperature of 35.2 degree Celsius.

He attributed the unusual weather pattern to climate change.

Since the start of the month, temperatures in Tacloban ranged from 25.1 degree Celsius on Aug. 2 and 6 to 35.2 degree Celsius on Aug. 8.

Tacloban Health Officer Jaime Opinion said the people should take precautions when going out.

“They should always use protective gear, like umbrella, whenever they go out to lessen exposure to heat and sunlight,” Opinion said.

He warned that this kind of weather could result in exhaustion or heat stroke.

His office, however, has not yet received  any report on cases of heat stroke, he said.

Opinion also advised the public to drink at least eight glasses of water daily and avoid wearing thick clothes.

Some local government units and the private sector in Bacolod and Cebu cities have launched relief campaigns to help flood victims in Metro Manila and Luzon.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said the city government would donate P5 million while the Bacolod City government plans to send P1 million.

The Regional Development Council in Central Visayas has created Task Force Tabang for flood victims and called on Cebuanos to donate goods like towels, blankets, canned goods, biscuits, chocolate bars, milk, bottled water, ready-to-eat food items and used clothing.

Donations can be brought to the Department of Social Welfare and Development office at corner MJ Cuenco and General Maxilom Avenues, the Cebu provincial capitol, all police stations in the region, the Talisay City hall, Lapu-Lapu City Hall and the Cebu Chamber Of Commerce and Industry office at the North Reclamation area in Cebu City.

Bacolod City Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson on Thursday said that aside from financial assistance, the city government would put up help desks at the lobby of the Bacolod City Government Center to accept donations.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. urged Negrenses to provide aid for flood victims. Marañon, however, said donations should be made through private entities, not the provincial government.

The private sector is also doing its part in the relief campaign.

The Philippine Red Cross in Cebu City has started accepting donations at its office on Osmeña Boulevard in Cebu City, according to a Red Cross staffer, April Joy Erames.

Two local stations of ABS-CBN and GMA 7 networks also held separate relief campaigns.

The GMA 7 Kapuso Foundation accepts donations at Plaza Sugbo in Cebu City Hall and in its office in Nivel Hills, said Chelo Vallena of GMA 7 Cebu.

ABS-CBN Cebu  only accepts donations at its office in Jagobiao, Mandaue City, said June Perez of dyAB, a local station of the network. With reports from Carla Gomez and Jhunnex Napallacan, Inquirer Visayas