PhilHealth hikes benefit package for heatstroke

MANILA, Philippines — The state health insurer’s heatstroke benefit package has been raised to P8,450 from P6,500 – a 30 percent increase.

Members who suffered from heatstroke can avail themselves of the benefit but they must ensure they are admitted to an accredited health facility, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) Corporate Affairs Group acting vice president Rey Baleña said yesterday in an interview.

This development is part of the increase of all benefit packages implemented by PhilHealth earlier this year, he noted.

“Now with the 30-percent increase (in most case rate packages) that took effect last Feb. 14, it is now P8,450,” Baleña said.

The public is advised to follow the Department of Health’s reminders to drink water, wear loose and light clothing, limit outdoor exposure and use sunblock, umbrellas or caps to avoid heat-related illnesses amid extreme heat recorded nationwide.

48 degrees Celsius heat index

Scorching temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius were recorded for three straight days since Monday in Tarlac, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

This is the hottest temperature recorded so far this year.

The high temperature was recorded at the monitoring station at Tarlac Agricultural University from Monday to Wednesday.

The hottest temperature was first recorded in Echague town in Isabela on April 15.

PAGASA warned the sweltering heat will affect the country until May.

The heat index also continues to climb, as 48 degrees Celsius was recorded in Tanauan, Batangas on Wednesday.

The highest heat index breached the 48-degree Celsius mark in Tuguegarao City the day before.

At least 36 areas nationwide are forecast to experience dangerous heat levels between 42 and 46 degrees Celsius today.

Temperatures could continue to rise in the next weeks due to El Niño amid the peak of the warm and dry season, PAGASA noted.

The forecast maximum temperature in May was 40 degrees Celsius but it was already breached this month.

Easterlies and localized thunderstorms could bring isolated rains over Metro Manila and the rest of the country, PAGASA said.

Meanwhile, Philippine Coast Guard personnel are allowed to take a break during coastal security foot patrol amid extreme heat but they are expected to immediately respond to emergencies, PCG spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said yesterday.

Iloilo state of calamity

Iloilo is likely to be placed under a state of calamity due to El Niño.

Three municipalities have already declared a state of calamity due to El Niño: Sara on April 12, Estancia on April 15 and Bingawan on April 24.

Iloilo board member Rolando Distura said the declaration would allow the provincial government to use the calamity fund to support affected constituents.

“We need to help out the agriculture and fisheries sectors, which bear the brunt of the effect of El Niño,” he said.

Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Cornelio Salinas said concerned offices will present the impact of El Niño to Iloilo residents and different sectors.

“The statistical data that would be presented will guide the council members whether to endorse the declaration or not,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PDRRM Council will convene on April 29 to discuss the possibility of endorsing to the Iloilo Sangguniang Panlungsod the declaration of a state of calamity.

On Sunday, the Office of Civil Defense-Region 6 reported that El Niño has affected 186,273 persons in Iloilo

In Western Visayas, Iloilo has recorded the most agricultural damage at P519 million.

It has also pegged the number of affected farmers and fisherfolk at 10,116.

ADM in 7,000 schools

Over 7,000 schools nationwide remained under alternative delivery mode (ADM) yesterday amid extreme heat, according to the Department of Education.

DepEd data showed Central Luzon had the most number of schools under ADM, followed by Western Visayas at 1,389; Ilocos region, 759; Calabarzon, 525; and Mimaropa, 456.

There are 430 schools under ADM in Metro Manila; Bicol, 413; Central Visayas, 407; Soccsksargen, 335; and Cordillera Administrative Region, 246.

In Cagayan Valley, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao region and Caraga, there are 462 schools under ADM.

The number was higher than the 6,695 schools that suspended onsite classes on Wednesday.

There are 47,678 public schools nationwide. — Romina Cabrera, Jennifer Rendon, Evelyn Macairan, Neil Jayson Servallos