ILOILO City — The city government is accelerating plans to roll out cooling centers and water stations across key public areas as rising heat index levels push authorities to adopt immediate and long-term interventions to protect residents and sustain urban livability.
Mayor Raisa Treñas said the initiative underscores the urgency of addressing extreme heat conditions, describing it as a critical concern tied to the administration’s livability agenda amid intensifying climate impacts.
“Isa gid ini sa aton priority — ang livability. Part sini ang pag-address sang heat kag air quality diri sa Iloilo City,” Treñas said.
To fast-track solutions, the city recently dispatched representatives from the Office of the City Agriculturist, City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) to Bangkok, Thailand for specialized training on urban heat mitigation strategies.
Among the immediate measures under consideration is the installation of cooling centers in high-traffic public spaces, particularly transport waiting areas such as plazas, to provide relief to commuters during peak heat hours.
“Halimbawa sa Jaro Plaza kun may gahulat sang salakyan, may ara kita mahatag nga lugar nga may maayo nga hangin kag mas manubo nga temperatura,” Treñas explained.
The mayor clarified that the city will prioritize temporary or movable facilities to ensure rapid deployment instead of constructing permanent structures.
“I don’t think kinahanglan gid sang permanent structures. Pwede kita ka-identify sang temporary or movable nga facilities para ma-rollout naton dayon,” she said.
Parallel to this, the city is planning to set up water stations to promote hydration and prevent heat-related illnesses among residents.
A comprehensive heat mitigation plan is expected to be finalized soon by a multi-agency technical team composed of agriculture, environment, disaster, and health offices.
“Our team will present their full recommendation next week. After that, we can share the definite plan on how we will activate these cooling centers,” Treñas said.
While immediate interventions are underway, the city is also strengthening long-term strategies such as intensified tree-planting initiatives to naturally reduce urban heat.
“Everyone knows nga ang long-term solution gid naton amo ang pagtanum sang kahoy. But we also need immediate actions,” she said.
Treñas also expressed support for proposed heat safety protocols by Councilor Alan Zaldivar, noting that these will be integrated into the broader climate response framework.
“This is what we’re facing right now — climate change. Amo na ‘ni ang ginahambal nila sang una, kag amo na gid ini subong. We have to prepare for this,” she said.
She added that aligning executive and legislative actions is crucial in ensuring a coordinated and sustainable response to extreme weather conditions.
“We will incorporate his proposal sa aton plan. Ang goal gid naton is to make sure nga mapanubo ang heat index kag mapabilin nga livable ang Iloilo City,” Treñas said.
Spike in heat-related illnesses feared
Authorities in Western Visayas have raised the alarm over a looming public health threat as dangerously high temperatures grip the region. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and health officials issued a heat advisory warning of a potential surge in heat-related illnesses, including life-threatening cases.
Backed by forecasts from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, officials said rising heat indexes could push the human body beyond its capacity to regulate temperature, placing residents across all age groups at risk.
The Department of Health (DOH) echoed the warning, saying prolonged exposure to extreme heat combined with dehydration could trigger a spike in medical emergencies ranging from mild discomfort to fatal conditions.
“It is important to recognize the increased risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke — conditions that can have serious and potentially fatal consequences if not promptly addressed,” DOH Region 6 said in a statement.
Health experts warned that heat-related illnesses — collectively known as hyperthermia — can escalate quickly, especially during the dry season. These include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, the latter potentially leading to organ failure or death without immediate medical intervention.
Authorities urged the public to take proactive steps to avoid heat exposure, including staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activities during peak hours, wearing light clothing, and seeking cooler environments./PN
