ILOILO – In response to warnings from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) of heat indices hovering over 40 degrees Celsius for quite some time, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. is set to issue an executive order regulating public and social events.
This measure aims to safeguard public health and prevent the exacerbation of underlying health conditions amid extreme heat, which may even revisit last year’s peak of 46 degrees Celsius.
Defensor emphasized the need for behavioral adjustments reminiscent of those during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are drafting an advisory, or an executive order, that, for example, would avoid public and social events and activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., unless the venue is well-ventilated and not hazardous to our people,” Defensor said.
Additionally, the governor proposed that government offices in the province should not require employees to wear multiple layers or attendees to wear traditional Filipiniana attire at events.
He also suggested adjusting event times to either after 3 p.m. or between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., if possible.
Defensor is considering encouraging or requesting that barangays or towns with annual fiestas and festivals avoid scheduling parades during the hottest hours.
The provincial government itself plans to reschedule its activities and programs, potentially postponing ground-breaking and inauguration ceremonies for infrastructure projects to 5 p.m., if not entirely avoidable.
“We should avoid the sun and the heat, and if possible, stay indoors, unless you are going to work,” added Defensor, stressing the importance of minimizing exposure during peak heat times.
He also advised against conducting programs under tents or tarpaulins, which can exacerbate the heat.
Among the towns, Bingawan has already begun regulating outdoor activities. Mayor Mark Plagata Palabrica issued Executive Order No. 22 this Monday morning, which regulates the conduct of activities while the municipality is under the state of calamity due to the extreme heat conditions.
“In order to safeguard the health of our constituents against the ill effects of extreme temperature, holding of programs and other activities especially during the hottest period of the day will be regulated,” part of Palabrica’s executive order read.
No programs shall be conducted between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if the heat index is above 39 degrees Celsius based on the PAGASA Highest Heat Index Forecast, with the following exceptions:
* The program or activity will be conducted in an air-conditioned and well-ventilated area (with enough electric fans/air-conditioning unit) with roof and ceiling and there is a provision of enough drinking water in the venue.
* Religious rites and other important activities that cannot be delayed or moved to a later time, provided that precautions has been identified.
Permit to conduct program/activity
* Application for Permit to Conduct Program/Activity within the specified time mentioned above shall be filed at the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and shall be approved by the Mayor prior to the scheduled date.
On April 24, the Sangguniang Bayan of Bingawan approved the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s recommendation to place the town under a state of calamity due to water scarcity.
During a meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Monday, April 29, presided over by Defensor, PAGASA Iloilo Engineer Ferdinand Rubin Jr. presented the weather forecast for the upcoming months.
Rubin warned, “We expect temperatures not to drop below 40 degrees Celsius, and in the coming weeks, we may experience heat indices reaching 43 to 44 degrees Celsius.”
On Saturday, April 27, PAGASA Iloilo recorded a heat index of 46 degrees Celsius at 1 p.m., the highest since 2023./PN
