The heat index in Iloilo City and in Roxas City in the Province of Capiz reached 41°Celsius on March 5, 2025 due to the easterlies that bring drier weather condition. 

“Ito ang mainit na hangin mula sa Dagat Pasipiko. So, expect natin na may dry air tayo and then ang ating temperature is very mainit,” PAGASA-Iloilo weather forecaster Jeff Maquiling said.

Eighty-three-year-old Leonora Villasor chose to stay outside of her house in Barangay Lanit, Jaro, Iloilo City to avoid feeling ill. She said that proper ventilation is important to her because she is hypertensive. In fact, she has maintenance medicines for high blood pressure.

“Nag-iingat at naghahanap ng maaliwalas (na lugar). Namamaypay,” Lola Leonora said.

The hot weather has also affected students and teachers despite the availability of electric fans, such as in Jaro National High School.

“Nahihirapan dahil mainit sa classroom. Parang hindi ka makakapag-isip nang mabuti,” Craig Owen Magkaya, a student, said.

A teacher said that the humid air is literally too hot to handle.

“Hindi maikakaila na sobra talaga ang init. Kahit nasa labas, maalinsangan pa rin,” Erlito Jaro said.

The Department of Education (DepEd) 6 has monitored tightly the high heat index. According to the agency, the division offices are prepared to recommend to Local Government Units the suspension of in-person classes if the need arises.

“Patuloy tayong nagsasagawa ng surveillance in terms of the heat index. Gano’n rin ang periodic assessment ng ating school facilities at mga precautionary measures,” said Hernani Escullar, DepEd 6 spokesperson.

To minimize ill effects of the high heat index in Iloilo City, the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) has prepared a heat plan with consideration of vulnerable sectors.

According to Darwin Papa, disaster response head of the Iloilo City DRRMO, the heat plan has micro businesses in mind.

“Ano ang dapat ihanda at dapat paghandaan not only ng mga residente natin but also sa mga micro and nano businesses natin, ambulant vendors, mga barangay. We will be providing specific measures na maari nilang gamitin upang maibsan ang effect,” Papa said.