Elderly widower dies from suspected heat stroke

By Jennifer P. Rendon

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A 62-year-old widower succumbed to what is believed to be a case of heat stroke in San Lorenzo, Guimaras.

Antonio Coroña, from Barangay M-Chavez, was found unresponsive by his nephew, 30-year-old Arvin Arnido, in a salt farm at Sitio Buntatae, Barangay M-Chavez, around 12:30 p.m. on March 7.

Arnido promptly transported his uncle to their residence, where Dr. Sylvia Galiza, the municipal health officer of San Lorenzo, attended to him.

Unfortunately, Coroña did not survive. His daughter Aiza disclosed that her father had a history of hypertension and had left home to work on the farm at about 8 a.m.

While natural causes are suspected, the family has been advised to consider an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

This incident occurred as Western Visayas experienced severe heat, with local PAGASA stations recording heat indices reaching 41 degrees Celsius and above.

Roxas City and Dumangas in Iloilo recorded the region’s highest heat index at 42 degrees Celsius.

The heat index, or apparent temperature, reflects the perceived temperature to the human body when relative humidity and air temperature are combined.