ILOILO – The provincial government has allocated P43 million for the establishment and operation of Hazardous Heat Index (HHI) Evacuation Centers across the province.
Gov. Arthur Defensor made the announcement following the presentation of Executive Order No. 20, Series of 2025, which implements minimum public health standards for hazardous heat index in the province. The executive order was shared with the media on Friday, March 14.
According to Defensor, the directive mandates the setup of evacuation centers in every local government unit (LGU) to accommodate individuals who are at risk from extreme heat, including the elderly, pregnant women, children, and those with pre-existing medical conditions that could worsen in hot conditions.
“The estimated cost is around P43 million, which will come from donations from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and the Office of the Governor. However, we will need to access the trust fund and meet with the PDRRMC next week to submit our plan to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan,” said Defensor.
The provincial government will provide P100,000 in financial assistance to cities and municipalities, and P25,000 to barangays, provided that they have identified potential evacuation centers or facilities and are prepared to provide counterpart funds for their establishment and operation. The release of funds will follow program guidelines that will be formulated in due course.
“This initiative is crucial given the extreme heat we are already experiencing. We are setting minimum public health standards to ensure that vulnerable members of our community, particularly those with health conditions, are protected from the harmful effects of extreme heat,” Defensor added.
He also expressed hope that the provincial government could release the financial assistance to municipalities and barangays as soon as possible.
Defensor is open to requesting an exemption from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in case the release of funds coincides with the election ban.
Guidelines for HHI Evacuation Centers
The executive order outlines several provisions for the HHI Evacuation Centers:
* Temperature Regulation – Facilities must be air-conditioned or equipped with systems to regulate temperature and protect evacuees from extreme heat.
* Identification of Centers – LGUs must designate existing structures such as barangay halls, health stations, or other suitable buildings that are either already air-conditioned or can be upgraded with cooling systems.
* Operating Hours – Centers will operate daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with adjustments based on hazardous heat index levels and local protocols.
* Medical and Public Assistance Services – LGUs are required to provide medical and public assistance stations within the evacuation centers to address the health and other needs of evacuees.
* Regulation and Management – LGUs must establish protocols to ensure the orderly operation and admission procedures for evacuees./PN
