A health professional has urged the public to take extra steps to stay healthy amid the extreme weather conditions experienced in recent weeks.

Dr. Lance Randolph Silario said a sudden shift in weather can trigger illnesses.

For example, when sudden rain wets the ground that has dried up for quite sometime due to extreme heat, water vapors get emitted and the vapor can carry microorganisms and pathological bacteria that people may inhale.

“Most commonly ang mga upper respiratory tract infection, especially sa ating mga asthmatic na patients, nagti-trigger yan. In more complicated cases na mag-pneumonia and other respiratory diseases na obstructive especially sa mga high-risk, sa mga bata, matatanda, at immuno-compromised,” Silario told GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas. 

He advised the public to avoid being exposed to the sun, to always have water on hand, and to take vitamins, as well as maintenance medicine if necessary.

Even animals are not spared from the effects of the extreme heat.

“Usually, na-co-cause siya ng pag-lower ng resistance ng ating mga hayop, and basically, diyan din lumalabas ang common diseases natin sa mga animals,” said Dr. Darel Tabuada, head of the Iloilo Provincial Veterinary Office.

Among the diseases that animals may contract include hemorrhagic septicemia for cows and carabaos. Poultry animals may also contract the new castle disease known locally as ‘aratay.’

Health officials recommended that the animals be vaccinated against diseases.

In Iloilo City, the heat index on May 6, 2026 reached 42 degrees celsius.

On May 5, the heat index in Iloilo City and the town of Dumangas reached 43 degrees celsius, which fell under the danger category.

PAGASA projected that this could still go up.

The city has opened at least two ‘cooling hubs’ that commuters and pedestrians can take refuge in from the heat.

In each hub are medical staff from the Iloilo City Health Office.

“The purpose of the BHW is for our vital signs assessment. Kukuha sila ng BP at other vital signs, and then ang ating nurse is for the medical assessment,” said Dr. Mary Ann Poli-Diaz, head of the Iloilo City Health Office.