A heat index of 46 degrees Celsius is projected over Metro Manila, Dagupan City in Pangasinan, and Sangley Point in Cavite this Friday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Based on its computed two-day forecast as of 5PM on Thursday, PAGASA said Filipinos across 33 locations will continue to feel extreme heat measured at 42 to 45 degrees Celsius.
These include parts of La Union, Cagayan, Isabela, Zambales, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Bataan, Quezon Province, Batangas, Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Albay, Catanduanes, Masbate, Camarines Sur, Capiz, Iloilo, Eastern and Northern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Agusan del Norte.
On Thursday, Sangley Point in Cavite endured a temperature of 47C while the cities of Pasay and Quezon in Metro Manila sizzled at 46C and 42C respectively, according to the state weather bureau.
Local government units in the affected areas have already announced suspensions of onsite classes. Schools are encouraged to keep implementing alternative modes of learning to protect students and teachers against the sweltering heat.
The months of March, April and May are typically the hottest and driest in the archipelago, but conditions this year have been exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon. The heat index measures what a temperature feels like, taking into account humidity.
Meanwhile, United Nations (UN) representatives on Thursday called for increased support for the Philippine government’s response to the serious drought induced by El Niño.
UN Assistant Secretary-General Reena Ghelani and UN Resident and Humanitarian coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez made the appeal at the end of the visit of the Climate Crisis Coordinator for the El Niño/La Niña Response in the Philippines.
They cited the current El Niño episode causing dry conditions and high temperatures across Southeast Asia. This includes the Philippines, where 41 provinces are experiencing drought and nearly 31 others are facing dry spells or dry conditions.
“The Philippines demonstrates the importance of acting early before a disaster strikes. With more frequent and severe climate shocks, it is crucial we strengthen our support to community resilience.” Ghelani said.
During her weeklong mission in the country, the UN official met with the government’s National Task Force on El Niño, the Humanitarian Country Team, the Philippine Red Cross, and other partners.
Ghelani interacted with El Niño-hit communities, women’s groups engaged in strengthening community resilience, a climate-resilience housing project, as well as local authorities and civil society organizations.
The UN and humanitarian and development partners have been actively preparing for and responding to El Niño in the Philippines in support of the government’s relief efforts.
This year, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Oxfam Pilipinas activated their Anticipatory Action programs in Isabela and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to provide immediate assistance to affected communities.