#1

"Our analysis shows that most areas in Metro Manila, Northern and Central Luzon will still experience danger level heat
index," said Marcelino Villafuerte II, chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration's (PAGASA) Climate Impact Assessment and Application Climatology, in a public briefing Tuesday.

PAGASA logged a 60°C heat index in Casiguran, Aurora on Monday. The bureau estimates the heat index based on the
combined effects of the temperature and air humidity.

The heat index in Casiguran fell under the extreme danger level, wherein heat stroke is imminent.

"We hope that the 60°C (heat index) will not be interpreted based on its magnitude but rather on its possible impact on
health. The public should take precautions because when (the heat index) goes beyond 52°C, it means this is an extreme
danger level and heat stroke is imminent," Villafuerte said.

He said the high heat index reaching danger level started in some areas in Luzon last week. High temperature was also
recorded in Metro Manila despite some rains.

PAGASA recorded a 40°C heat index (extreme caution level) at the Science Garden in Quezon City, and 43°C (danger
level) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Monday.

The 43°C heat index may result in heat cramps and heat exhaustion, as well as heat stroke.

"The public should take precautions against adverse effects of high heat index," Villafuerte emphasized.

He advised the public to lessen the risks by drinking water regularly and minimizing time outdoors. It is better to do
outdoor activities late in the afternoon or early morning, he added.

Villafuerte said one may suffer from heat stroke if he or she will continue intense activities while the heat index is high.

#2

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) issued the forecast.

The report is based on its list of areas with the highest heat indices as of Tuesday afternoon.

Pagasa defines heat index as “a measure of the contribution that high humidity makes with abnormally high temperatures
in reducing the body’s ability to cool itself.”

Aparri and Tuguegarao City in Cagayan were predicted to have a heat index of 42 degrees Celsius.

Based on Pagasa’s definitions, a heat index between 42 degrees Celsius and 51 degrees Celsius belongs to the “danger
category.”

Such a heat index may cause heat cramps and heat exhaustion, with the possibility of heat stroke, especially after
continued exposure to the sun.

Meanwhile, no areas are expected to reach the “danger category” heat index on Thursday, March 7.

Apart from Aparri and Tuguegarao, other areas have previously experienced a danger level heat index this March.

The places include Bacnotan in La Union, Calapan in Oriental Mindoro, Coron in Palawan and Cotabato City.

Meanwhile, Pagasa advised the public to prevent suffering from the effects of high heat by limiting the time spent
outdoors, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding tea, coffee, soda and liquor.

It also suggests using umbrellas, wearing hats and sleeved clothing outdoors, and scheduling heavy-duty activities during
the cool periods of the day.

In case of emergency, Pagasa reminded the people to do the following:

– Move the person who is feeling ill to a shady spot and lie him/her down with legs elevated.

– If conscious, have the person sip cool water.

– Remove clothing.

– Apply cool water to the skin and provide ventilation.

– Put ice packs on the armpits, wrists, ankles and groin.

– If difficulty persists, bring the person to a hospital immediately.

Last April 17, 2023, at around 2 p.m., Pagasa-Mactan logged Metro Cebu’s highest heat index so far, at 43 degrees
Celsius -- one degree higher than the highest heat index recorded in 2022 at 42 degrees Celsius on May 14 and May 29.

Weather experts define heat index as the “apparent temperature” or what the temperature feels like to the human body.

Quiblat said they started reporting the heat index in 2018, as they deemed it had become relevant.

“The heat index became trendy around 2018 internationally. If you can recall, it was even promoted by Mang Tani (Filipino
meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz). He provided information about the heat index,” he said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
“In fact, it was Cebu that first issued information on the heat index before Manila followed suit.”

Heat index measurement has become relevant as many people now casually remark, “Dili man ni ingon-ani kainit ang
alas 10 sa buntag sa una (It didn’t use to be this hot at 10 a.m. in the past).”

Quiblat said a heat index that reaches 43 degrees Celsius falls under the Danger Category, as it can cause heat cramps
or heat exhaustion. Prolonged sun exposure may even lead to a heat stroke, which can be fatal.

Heat index computation uses the air temperature and relative humidity. According to Quiblat, the relationship between the
parameter of air temperature and relative humidity and the heat index measurement is directly proportional.

“If the air temperature and humidity are high, then the heat index will also be high,” he said in a mix of Cebuano and
English.

Quiblat attributed the increase in temperature and humidity to global warming, or the increase of the mean temperature of
the Earth’s surface, which, in turn, results in climate change.

“Unsay hinungdan sa (What caused) global warming? It’s because ni-increase ang amount sa mga greenhouse gases
such as carbon dioxide, methane (the amount of greenhouse gases increased). Main contributor of carbon dioxide is
deforestation, gas emissions like gasoline, krudo (gasoline, oil),” he said.

However, he said it is premature to conclude that Cebu’s heat index records have been growing steadily over the years,
especially since they have yet to recover heat index data from 2018 to 2021 as this was stored in computers that were
damaged during super typhoon Odette in 2021.

#4

Davao City registered the highest heat index in Mindanao on Saturday at 43 degrees Celsius and 41 degrees on Sunday,
data from the state weather bureau showed.

Saturday’s record shows that next to Davao City, Butuan followed at 42ºC, Zamboanga City at 41ºC, Laguindingan Airport
in Misamis Oriental at 39ºC and Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur at 38ºC.

On Sunday, April 30, Butuan and Zamboanga City tied with Davao City for having the highest heat index at 41ºC, followed
by General Santos and Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental at 37ºC and the cities of Malaybalay and Surigao at
35ºC.

Last Friday, Butuan was second highest nationwide, at 47ºC, next to Guiuan in Eastern Samar’s 49ºC. In Mindanao, the
area that registered the highest heat index after Butuan was Zamboanga City at 44ºC, Davao and Dipolog at 42ºC,
Cotabato City at 41ºC and Malaybalay City at 39ºC.

PAGASA has 32 monitoring stations nationwide, six of these in Mindanao, in the cities of Davao, Dipolog, Zamboanga,
Malaybalay and in Hinatuan in Surigao del sur and Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental.

The state weather bureau defines heat index as “a measure of the contribution that high humidity makes with abnormally
high temperatures in reducing the body’s ability to cool itself.”

According to PAGASA, “fatigue” is possible with prolonged exposure and activity in areas with 27ºC to 32ºC degrees heat
index. Continuing activity could lead to heat cramps.

It said “extreme caution” must be undertaken in areas with heat index of 33ºCto 41 ºC as heat cramps and heat
exhaustion are possible.

PAGASA classifies areas with heat index of 42ºC to 51ºC under “danger” as heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely
and heat stroke is probable with continued exposure.

It warns of “extreme danger” in areas with heat index of 52ºC and beyond as “heat stroke is imminent.”

The cities of Davao and Butuan fell under the “extreme caution” and “danger” classifications on Saturday and Sunday.