Dangerous heat index expected in 4 areas on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025

The heat index is expected to reach the dangerous level in four areas of the country on Wednesday, March 5, state weather forecasters said.

According to its heat index forecast as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, weather service PAGASA said the following areas will experience the "danger" heat index category:

43°C

• Legazpi City, Albay
• Virac (Synop), Catanduanes
• CBSUA-Pili, Camarines Sur

42°C

• San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

A heat index between 42°C and 51°C falls under the "danger" category, which poses health risks such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

It is a measurement of how hot the temperature feels to the human body, factoring in humidity along with the actual air temperature.

Meanwhile, the following areas may have 33-41°C heat index or the "extreme caution" level on Ash Wednesday:

• NAIA in Pasay City (39°C)
• Science Garden in Quezon City (39°C)
• Sinait, Ilocos Sur (37°C)
• Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (38°C)
• MMSU in Batac, Ilocos Norte (38°C)
• Bacnotan, La Union (38°C)
• Calayan, Cagayan (35°C)
• Aparri, Cagayan (37°C)
• Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (37°C)
• NVSU in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (33°C)
• ISU in Echague, Isabela (37°C)
• Baler, Aurora (37°C)
• Casiguran, Aurora (37°C)
• Iba, Zambales (39°C)
• Clark Airport, Pampanga (37°C)
• CLSU in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (38°C)
• Abucay, Bataan (34°C)
• Cubi Pt. in Subic Bay, Olongapo City (39°C)
• San Ildelfonso, Bulacan (40°C)
• Tayabas City, Quezon (35°C)
• Sangley Point, Cavite (39°C)
• Ambulong in Tanauan, Batangas (39°C)
• Infanta, Quezon (38°C)
• Alabat, Quezon (38°C)
• Mulanay, Quezon (38°C)
• Calapan, Oriental Mindoro (37°C)
• Coron, Palawan (36°C)
• Romblon, Romblon (35°C)
• Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (40°C)
• Cuyo, Palawan (40°C)
• Daet, Camarines Norte (38°C)
• Masbate City, Masbate (41°C)
• Juban, Sorsogon (38°C)
• Roxas City, Capiz (41°C)
• Iloilo City, Iloilo (41°C)
• Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental (39°C)
• Siquijor, Siquijor (39°C)
• Panglao International Airport, Bohol (37°C)
• Mactan International Airport, Cebu (37°C)
• Catarman, Northern Samar (40°C)
• Catbalogan, Western Samar (40°C)
• Tacloban City, Leyte (41°C)
• Borongan, Eastern Samar (37°C)
• Guiuan, Eastern Samar (37°C)
• Maasin, Southern Leyte (39°C)
• Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte (39°C)
• Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur (40°C)
• Laguindingan Airport, Misamis Oriental (37°C)
• CMU Agromet in Musuan, Bukidnon (35°C)
• Davao City, Davao del Sur (38°C)
• Cotabato City, Maguindanao (40°C)
• General Santos City, South Cotabato (37°C)
• Surigao City, Surigao del Norte (36°C)
• Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (36°C)
• Butuan City, Agusan del Norte (35°C)

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines earlier urged employers to offer breaks to their workers as the heat index reaches dangerous levels in some parts of the country.

Malacañang had said it is taking steps to prepare for the potential economic impact of rising heat index levels.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health urged the public to take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses as the country is shifting to dry season.

Should anyone experience any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, the DOH advised the public to follow these first aid measures:

• Transfer the person to a cooler or shady area and adjust the ventilation;
• Remove clothes that could add up to body heat;
• Apply cold compress, ice pack, cold water, or a cold wet cloth to the skin, especially on the head, face, neck, armpits, wrists, ankles, and groin;
• Contact emergency services or take the person to hospital immediately; and
• If the patient is conscious, let him/her have frequent but slow sips of cold water.

— VDV, GMA Integrated News