In-person classes in Iloilo City from preschool to senior high school were suspended on April 7, 2025 as maximum heat index reached 41°C, based on a forecast of state weather bureau PAGASA.

However, according to the Schools Division Office (SDO)-Iloilo City, there are a few schools that called back their students who have urgent activities on schedule.

“Lahat nag-suspend maliban lang sa may urgent activities na naka-schedule na ngunit with consent ng kanilang parents na babalik sila sa kanilang school,” said Ma. Luz de los Reyes, superintendent of SDO-Iloilo City.

As the heat index in the city has soared in the past days, the maximum heat index threshold was lowered to 41°C from what was 42°C for the automatic suspension of face-to-face classes from preschool to senior high school.

“Sa mga tertiary level naman, binigyan natin ng discretion ang school administrator, ang kanilang president na i-adapt ang same measure para sa wellbeing ng mga bata,” Joy Fantilaga, spokesperson of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, said.

A total of 123 public schools in Western Visayas cancelled classes on April 7, 2025 due to the high heat index.

Over the weekend, beachgoers flocked resorts in Oton town. One of them is Luisa Tesoro, along with her family, from the town of Janiuay.

“Ang init ng panahon kaya dito kami sa beach pumunta at para mag-family bonding,” Tesoro said.

Another family chose to give an ice cream tub a dig to beat the heat.

Aside from cold water, and other refreshing drinks, the Fuentes family finds ice cream as a perfect treat to deal with the sweltering heat. 

“Grabe ang init ngayon, kahit electric fan hindi kaya. At masarap kumain ng ice cream ngayong mainit [ang panahon],” Aileen Fuentes, a resident, said.