Philippines to endure scorching heat until mid-May

MANILA, Philippines — Extreme heat will persist until the second week of May amid the impact of El Niño and the dry season as Metro Manila’s temperature reached 38.8 degrees Celsius on Saturday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The “danger” high heat index will still be experienced in many parts of the country, PAGASA weather forecaster Anna Clauren said in a radio interview.

“We are still in the peak of the dry season and it is possible that temperatures will further increase especially during the second half of May,” Clauren said.

The easterlies or hot temperatures from the Pacific Ocean are currently affecting the country, she noted.

“For the next four to five days, we should expect that the current temperatures will be maintained in Metro Manila and many parts of the country. We expect a high heat index or danger level. We advise the public to take
 extra precaution and, if necessary, avoid extreme activities, especially at noon,” she added.

Mindanao can expect rains brought by the intertropical convergence zone, Clauren said.

At least 32 areas could experience a danger heat index (between 42 and 51 degrees Celsius) today: Aparri, Cagayan; Dagupan City; Coron and Aborlan, Palawan; Virac, Catanduanes; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Roxas City, Capiz; Laoag City and Batac, Ilocos Norte; Bacnotan, La Union; Echague, Isabela; Sangley Point, Cavite; Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Iloilo City and Dumangas, Iloilo; and Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

Other areas that could experience danger heat index today are Sinait, Ilocos Sur; Pili, Camarines Sur; Mambusao, Capiz; La Carlota, Negros Occidental; Dipolog, Zamboanga del Sur; Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City; Science Garden in Quezon City; Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya; Tayabas City, Quezon; Legazpi City, Albay; Maasin, Southern Leyte; Zamboanga City; and Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

An “extreme danger” heat index, 52 degrees Celsius and up, could also be experienced, PAGASA warned.

Iba, Zambales yesterday recorded an extreme danger heat index of 53 degrees Celsius, the highest so far this year, PAGASA said.

On Saturday, the highest heat index was recorded in Aparri, Cagayan at 48 degrees Celsius followed by Virac, Catanduanes at 47 degrees Celsius and Tuguegarao City, Cagayan and Pili, Camarines Sur at 46 degrees Celsius.

State of calamity

All regional directors of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have been directed to ensure their quick response funds are available to areas under a state of calamity, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said over the weekend.

At least 103 cities and towns have been placed under a state of calamity due to El Niño while persons affected have reached 2.1 million, according to Task Force El Niño spokesman Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Joey Villarama.

Abalos cited Belison, Antique’s case after its local executive asked for support. They have been referred to the Presidential Management Staff and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Abalos did not comment on whether the government plans to declare a nationwide state of calamity amid the growing number of areas affected by El Niño.

Agricultural damage in 11 regions due to El Niño has ballooned to P4.39 billion, affecting 85,232 farmers and fisherfolk covering 77,731 hectares of agricultural lands, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Rice production incurred P2.71 billion in damage, totaling 113,446 metric tons, followed by high-value crops with P869.34 million or a total volume loss of 24,306 MT; corn, with P769.68 million covering 45,995 MT; fisheries, P33.83 million affecting 2,261 fisherfolk; livestock and poultry, P7.75 million affecting 381 heads; and cassava, P561,000 covering 41 MT, the DA said.

Assistance worth P637.21 million has been provided by the regional field offices in the Cordillera Administrative Region and Regions 1, 4-B and 6, the DA noted.

“At least P1.065 million worth of financial assistance were given in Regions 2 and 4-B under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance program and P8 million worth of rice machinery and equipment from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization,” the DA said.

To dispel any notion their engagement is military-focused, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III challenged the United States, Japan and Western European countries to extend their support beyond military cooperation and aid the Philippines amid El Niño. — Cecille Suerte Felipe