BECAUSE the Philippines does not have a heat warning signals system contained in a policy that they could cite as basis for their decision-making, school principals and local government chief executives may be hesitant to suspend classes at campuses under their charge during periods of searing temperatures.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) issued in 2015 a guidance document on the development of Heat-Health Warning System Development. South Africa, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, and many European countries have Heat-Health Warning Systems and Action Plans, but the Philippines does not. It is time that we do, according to Rep. Angelica Natasha Co of the BHW Party-list.
Indeed, we need a Heat-Health Warning System to help principals decide on class suspensions, like how classes are suspended during Signal No. 3 typhoons. With a clear system in place, principals can decide with more confidence and efficiency, without fear of reprimand from higher authorities.
Local government units (LGUs) also do not have their own localized neighborhood hot weather monitoring which school principals, school superintendents, barangay chairpersons, mayors, and governors can use as one of the key references for suspending classes.
If the national government is unable to come up with this soon, the local governments should take the initiative by exercising their powers under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, and under their respective charters. The WMO document can serve as the starting point for LGUs to come up with their own Heat-Health Warning Systems and Action Plans.
LGU officials and schools superintendents can work with PAGASA, their local health officers, local and regional hospitals, state universities and colleges, and local environment officers to come up with executive orders containing the beginnings of their own local Heat-Health Warning Systems and Action Plans, which can evolve and be upgraded over time.
Non-mercury-based electronic thermometers with electronic monitoring technologies can and should be installed outdoors and indoors at strategic locations. Emergency purchases of these equipment and software for them can be purchased using local calamity funds.
?Knowing how government procurement is time-consuming, private citizens and other donors could donate these non-mercury-based electronic thermometers with electronic monitoring technologies. The private sector can respond faster.
