The heat index in Dagupan City has reached 45°C this March, the highest recorded in the country so far, but the temperature could rise further to 50°C or more in the coming days as the dry season approaches, according to PAGASA-Dagupan.

Ronnel Venzon, a worker from Tarlac City, shared how the extreme heat affects his daily routine as he commutes to his job at an ice cream company in Pangasinan.

“Dahil biyahero ako, talagang ramdam ko ang init kaya tubig talaga, ‘yan ang hindi ko kinakalimutan,” Venzon said.

According to Engr. Jose Estrada Jr., Chief Meteorologist of PAGASA-Dagupan, the rising sea surface temperature is one of the reasons behind the extreme heat in the city.

“’Yung sea surface kasi talagang tumataas ngayon, plus 43 na siya kaya ang tendency, tumataas din ang anomaly dito sa Dagupan City,” Estrada said.

Dagupan is a coastal city, and its high heat index is partly due to reduced tree cover, widespread concrete roads, and heat retention in urban areas.

Despite the intense heat, the Center for Health Development (CHD) Region 1 has not yet recorded any heat stroke cases in Pangasinan.

However, health officials urge the public to take precautions.

“Ang una nating rekomendasyon ay magdala ng enough na supply ng clean drinking water… Magsuot din tayo ng lightly colored na damit para makalabas ang body heat at higit sa lahat, magdala tayo ng pananggalang sa sikat ng araw katulad ng payong o sombrero,” Dr. Rheuel Bobis, CHD-1 spokesperson, said.

Authorities advise residents to limit sun exposure between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m., when temperatures are at their peak.