‘BURNIN’ UP’: Heat illnesses surge in Iloilo as index hits ‘danger’ levels

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The City Health Office (CHO) urged residents to stay indoors during peak hours after heat-related illnesses in Iloilo City jumped to 569 cases in the first week of May, as the heat index hit “danger” levels.

CHO data showed cases climbed from 355 in the last week of April to 569 the following week, as the heat index reached 41 to 54 degrees Celsius.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) classifies a heat index of 42 to 51 degrees Celsius under the “danger” category, warning of possible heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke from prolonged exposure.

CHO records showed upper respiratory tract infections topped the list with 245 cases, followed by hypertension with 106 cases and pneumonia with 71 cases.

“It increased because of the increase in our heat index … and for the one week that the heat index spiked, our cases really increased,” said Dr. Jennifer Castro of the CHO.

Castro said the number of cases this year is also higher than during the same period last year, though she did not provide exact figures.

She warned that extreme heat may prolong illness and accelerate bacterial activity, leaving some individuals more vulnerable to complications such as pneumonia or secondary bacterial infections.

“If it is very hot, bacteria also grow faster, so if it is inhaled, we easily get coughs and colds. Before, viral infections would resolve in 3 to 5 days, but now it can last up to two weeks and sometimes requires antibiotics,” she said.

Castro advised residents to avoid outdoor activities during peak heat, particularly from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and to wear protective clothing and apply sunblock when outdoors.

The CHO also reminded residents to drink plenty of water and replenish electrolytes through oral rehydration solutions.

“We really advise not to go out during peak heat, especially from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and to stay indoors if there are no necessary activities, especially for children,” Castro added.

She said no heat-related deaths have been reported so far.

Patricia Anne Constantinopla, resident meteorologist of the city’s Emergency Operations Center, said Iloilo City is under drought conditions following several consecutive months of below-normal rainfall.

“Now we have drought status [since] mid-April. We had consecutive months that were below normal rainfall,” she said.

Constantinopla said rainfall is expected to return to near-normal levels in the coming months, though dry conditions may persist.

“We are not saying there will be no rainfall, but we expect it to come as part of El Niño-related patterns,” she said.

The illness surge coincides with declining water supply from the Maasin Dam, which Metro Pacific Iloilo Water placed under red alert this month amid the prolonged heat and dry spell.