The heat index in Iloilo City and the town of Dumangas reached 43 degrees celsius on May 5, 2026 and may even go as high as 45 degrees celsius, according to PAGASA.

Engr. Rolly Cuenca, weather forecaster in PAGASA Iloilo, said this degree of heat can trigger heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and even stroke.

“Ang ganitong temperature, under sa danger category. Pag sinabing danger category, meaning possible na ang heat cramps, heat exhaustion at too much exposure may lead to heat stroke,” he said.

PAGASA classifies the heat index into four:

• Caution (27°C-32°C): Fatigue is possible with prolonged exposure.
• Extreme Caution (33°C-41°C): Heat cramps and heat exhaustion are possible.
• Danger (42°C-51°C): Heat exhaustion is likely; heat stroke is possible with prolonged exposure.
• Extreme Danger (52°C and higher): Heat stroke is highly likely. 

With the intense heat, PAGASA warned the public to avoid exposure to the sun, especially those with illnesses like senior citizens.

Those who will feel unwell because of the heat must seek a place to rest immediately.

Workers who are always exposed to the sun like Carl Worden, a delivery driver, said he now has to choose the time of day he will hit the road. He works early morning until around 10 a.m.

When he needs to be outside, however, he makes sure to rest under the shade provided by buildings every now and then.

“Bumibiyahe lang ako tuwing umaga hanggang mga 9-10 (AM), tapos uuwi na. Ngunit kung may booking ako na matindi ang init, napapahinga ako sa silong ng mga building na madadaanan namin,” he said.

To help alleviate the burden on the public, particularly commuters and pedestrians, the Iloilo City government has installed three “cooling stations” in three areas - at the Diversion Road Mandurriao, Jalandoni Bridge, and Plazoleta Gay.

The stations will be open to the public starting May 6, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. These stations will be air-conditioned.

“Actually mga 95% nang tapos ang ating cooling stations. We will just add some of the ancillary equipment like the aircon, water dispenser at ang ating nga eco boards,” said Neil Rivera, executive director of the Iloilo City Crisis Management Council on Tuesday, May 5.

In March, PAGASA warned that the heat index in Iloilo may go up to 46 degrees celsius if historical data are to be considered.

Records from PAGASA showed that the heat index in Iloilo was between 41 degrees celsius and 46 degrees celsius in 2025 during the dry season.