1 month ago
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ILOILO CITY — At least three persons have died in the past week due to heat-related illnesses in this city as extreme heat continues to affect Western Visayas, the City Health Office (CHO) reported on Tuesday.
From April 16 to 21, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) responded to eight heat stroke cases, six of which required hospital treatment.
The Emergency Medical Services unit of the CDRRMO later confirmed that three of the patients died due to complications triggered by the intense heat.
"We are recording alarmingly high heat indices. The weather has become dangerously hot — not only in Iloilo but in other areas as well," said Darianne Joy Papa, health emergency management coordinator of the CHO.
The city logged its highest heat index so far this year on April 16, hitting 47 degrees, which coincided with four reported heat stroke incidents that day.
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Additional cases were recorded on April 19 with two cases at 44 degrees, April 20 with one case at 40 degrees and April 21 with one case at 39 degrees.
A heat index between 33 and 41 degrees is categorized under "extreme caution," where heat cramps and heat exhaustion are possible; prolonged exposure or physical activity could lead to heat stroke.
The CHO said victims range from a 10-year-old child to senior citizens, with two cases involving individuals age 18 to 28, and three others in the 29 and above age group.
In response to the rising threat of extreme heat, the city government issued an executive order setting a new automatic suspension threshold for face-to-face classes earlier this month.
Under the order, classes from preschool to senior high school will be suspended if the heat index advisory forecast is at 41 degrees or higher for the following day.
School administrators and university officials are also given discretion to adjust class schedules or shift to alternative delivery modes when the heat index reaches 40 degrees, prioritizing the safety of students and personnel.
