HEADLINES
Jeepney strike, heat conspire to disrupt face-to-face classes
4/30/24, 4:45 AM
The scheduled jeepney strike and extreme heat conspired to force government to suspend in-person classes in all public schools in the country.
This developed as heat index levels continued to threaten Filipinos with the danger of heat related illnesses.
As Iba, Zambales recorded 53 degrees heat index on Sunday, weather experts warned that the country’s HI could reach “extreme danger” level of 57 degrees.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) revealed on Monday that the 57 degrees Celsius heat index was already recorded on April 20, 2020 in San Jose, Oc cidental Mindoro.
PAGASA Impact Assessment and Application Section officer-in-charge Meliton Guzman revealed that other areas that experienced high heat index in the past were Dagupan City, Pangasinan on May 9, 2016 at 55 degrees; and Aparri, Cagayan on May 18, 2021 at 54 degrees.
Metro Manila heat index has reached 48 degrees recently, three notches over the 45 degrees recorded on April 27.
PAGASA also disclosed that over 40 areas in the country will continue to experience “danger level”heat index d as El Niño climate phenomenon continues to affect the whole country.
The first two weeks of May will continue to be hot, disclosed PAGASA.
Aside from the usual high index places of Dagupan, Tuguegarao, Cagayan, Coron and Aborlan, Palawan and San Jose, Mindoro Occidental, there will be more places that face scorching heat.
Among those listed with dangeorus heat index of 42 to 51 percent Celsius on April 30 are Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Echague, Isabela; Baler and Casiguran, Aurora; Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas; Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Virac, Catanduanes; Iloilo City and Dumangas, Iloilo at 44 degrees Celsius.
Science Garden in Quezon City; Sinait, Ilocos Sur; Batac, Ilocos Norte; Bacnotan, La Union; iba, Zambales; Clark Airport, Pampanga; Subic Bay, Olongapo City; Sangley Point, Cavite; Legazpi, Albay; Pili, Camarines Sur; Roxas City and Mambusao, Capiz; La Carlota, Negros Occidental and Guian, Eastern Samar could record 43 degrees Celsius.
Also listed by PAGASA were Bayombong, Nueva Ecija; Tayabas City and Alabat, Quezon; Daet, Camarines Sur; Masbate City, Masbate; Tacloban City, Leyte; Maasin, Southern Leyte; Zamboanga City and Butuan, Agusan del Norte could experience 42 degrees Celsius.