Mark Villar seeks inquiry into PAGASA’s heat index monitoring, wants alert system

Senator Mark Villar has filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the state weather bureau PAGASA’s heat index monitoring and creating an efficient alert system.

Under proposed Senate Resolution 590, Villar said an inquiry is necessary to determine the current status of heat index monitoring and warning systems, and potential impacts of extreme heat on public health and the economy, including preventive and mitigation measures that can be implemented.

Villar also seeks to identify the best practices and technologies on heat index monitoring and alert systems in other countries as well as the resources, legal framework, and institutional arrangements needed for the establishment of a Philippine Alert System for monitoring of heat index in the country.

“Recent heat index forecasts in many areas in the country have been at dangerous levels posing great danger on public health, especially among vulnerable groups such as children, elderly, and people with pre-existing medical conditions,” he said.

“These heat-related illnesses affect not only the public’s health but also the agricultural and industrial sector’s productivity, ultimately affecting the country’s economy and social welfare,” he added.

PAGASA defines the heat index as the temperature that the human body feels based on air temperature and relative humidity.

The highest computed heat index for Monday, May 8 was 47 degrees Celsius, measured in Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas at 3 p.m. A heat index of 47°C is squarely in the "danger" classification, with PAGASA warning that at that level, "Heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely; heat stroke is probable with continued exposure."

“While there is an existing monitoring system for heat index, there is a need to establish an alert system to emergency and warning alert messages during typhoons to ensure that appropriate preventive measures will be taken when the heat index reaches dangerous levels,” Villar said.

“[Heat index] is thus an important indicator of heat stress that affects human comfort and health,” he added. — BM, GMA Integrated News