At least 22 chickens allegedly died of heat stroke while being transported amid extreme heat in Zamboanga City on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

According to the friend of the man who purchased the chickens from a farm in Barangay Pamucutan, the chickens were being transported around midday and by the time they reached Barangay Cabatangan, more than 20 kilometers away from the farm, the chickens had already died.

They believe that the chickens died from heat stroke.

“Open man ang Bongo, tapos naa siya atup, pero namatay siya sa kainit. Grabe ang init diri sir magmotor gane ka, grabe sakit sa ulo,” Ericson Dizon, the friend of the man who purchased the chickens, said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in Zamboanga City said the heat index that day reached 41.3 degrees Celsius, which fell under the “extreme caution” category. This level poses risks of heat cramps and heat exhaustion that may result to heat stroke.

“Ang usage ng heat index natin is for the condition ng human health but for siyempre yung sa mga hayop natin, even though hindi sila masyadong apektado nitong heat index, mataas pa rin talaga ang temperature natin. Exposure sa ganong temperature, may possible na mga health risk na mangyari,” PAGASA Zamboanga City Chief, Rodel Inclan, said.

PAGASA warned that the hot weather conditions may persist until the weekend.

“Sa ngayon kasi yung southwest monsoon directly naapektuhan sa may Luzon area pero dito sa atin, medyo partly cloudy to cloudy pa rin yung condition natin. So inaasahan pa rin natin  na tuloy-tuloy po ito na maiinit-init tayo until weekends,” Inclan added.

Although the country is not currently in the dry season, PAGASA advised the public to stay hydrated, wear protective coverings, and avoid direct sun exposure to prevent heat-related illnesses.