ILOILO City – The Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) has sounded the alarm over dangerous heat index levels exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, urging residents to adopt self-protection measures amid rising risks of heat stress and other heat-related illnesses.
CDRRMO head Donna Magno stressed that while the city government continues to intensify its public information campaign, residents themselves remain the “first line of defense” against the worsening effects of extreme heat gripping the city.
“Sige-sige ang aton kampanya nga ang intensyon, buligan mo man ang kaugalingon mo,” Magno said.
She emphasized that government advisories would only be effective if people act on them before medical emergencies occur.
“Kun gina-communicate naton sa aton mga pumuluyo sa amo ni nga event, amo ni ang peligro nga gina-atubang ninyo, ang importante diri ang self-awareness. Ano ang puwede ko obrahon para indi ako matam-an? Indi puwede nga hulaton ta pa nga may matabo antes kita maghalong,” she said.
The warning came as Iloilo City continues to endure sweltering temperatures brought by prolonged dry weather and worsening urban heat conditions.
Magno said the city government, with the help of the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps, has been aggressively disseminating reminders and safety measures to minimize heat-related incidents.
“I’d like to think nga kita sa City Government, with the help of the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps, sige-sige gid ang aton kampanya para mapahanumdom ang publiko nga may mahimo sila para proteheran ang ila kaugalingon,” she said.
Among the primary recommendations of the CDRRMO are avoiding outdoor activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., considered the hottest hours of the day, unless absolutely necessary.
“If wala sang importante nga kadtuan, mas maayo nga magpabilin sa sulod sang balay. Pero kun kinahanglan gid magguwa, magdala sang payong, magsuksok sang kalo, magbayo sang light-colored nga panapton, kag pirmi gid mag-inom sang tubig,” Magno said.
She warned that ignoring basic precautions could quickly lead to serious health complications, particularly among vulnerable sectors.
“This is not just about discomfort. Heat stress can escalate quickly, especially for children, senior citizens, kag may existing health conditions,” she said.
Magno also linked the increasing heat levels to Iloilo City’s rapid urbanization, pointing to the growing number of buildings and concrete structures that trap heat and intensify temperatures.
“Bangud sang development sang siyudad, damo kita sang concrete structures kag nagatubo nga buildings. This creates what we call the urban heat island effect, where heat gets trapped by infrastructure and raises the surrounding temperature,” she explained.
She added that the phenomenon makes urban centers significantly hotter than nearby rural areas, especially during extended dry spells.
With high heat indices expected to persist in the coming weeks, Magno reiterated the need for vigilance, discipline, and personal responsibility.
“Ang gobyerno mahimo maghatag sang impormasyon kag assistance, pero ang una gid nga depensa amo ang inyo kaugalingon. Kon kabalo kita maghalong, malikawan naton ang mas mabug-at nga epekto sang extreme heat,” she said./PN
