37 students hit by heat exhaustion in Santa Barbara, Pangasinan

Thirty-seven students at a high school in Santa Barbara, Pangasinan were sent to the clinic one day last week after experienced bouts of vomiting, dizziness, weakness, and nosebleeds—all symptoms of heat exhaustion.

In Mariz Umali’s “Saksi” report on Monday, Daniel Maramba National High School assistant principal Domingo Umangay said they did not expect a high afternoon temperature since it had been cool in the morning.

The students are now in good condition. The school said it will ensure that it is prepared should the heat index rise in the coming days.

The Santa Barbara local government has also implemented modular or blended learning for afternoon classes from pre-school to high school.

Such precautions are necessary, as heat exhaustion could lead to heatstroke (or heat stroke), a more serious condition. Symptoms of heatstroke include a core body temperature of 40°C or more; rapid breathing; a racing heart rate; flushed skin; a headache; nausea and vomiting; muscle cramps or weakness; and unconsciousness.

On Monday, PAGASA said the hot season in 2025 will likely not be as hot as in 2024, but the public should still take precautions over the high heat index. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated News