PRO-6 seeks lighter police uniforms amid extreme heat

ILOILO CITY – Extreme heat is taking a toll on police personnel, prompting the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) to seek permission from the Philippine National Police (PNP) national headquarters to allow officers to wear lighter uniforms while on duty.

Citing health risks from high heat indices associated with the ongoing very strong El Niño, the PRO-6 leadership has formally requested an exemption from wearing the standard PNP General Office Attire (GOA) Type C uniform.

Police Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, Western Visayas police chief, sent a memorandum to PNP national headquarters requesting permission for PRO-6 personnel to wear the prescribed beat patrol uniform instead.

Over the past few weeks, Tuaño has visited several areas across Western Visayas and personally experienced the discomfort of wearing the GOA Type C uniform under extreme heat conditions.

The PNP GOA Type C uniform is commonly worn as daily office attire by personnel assigned to police provincial offices, city police offices, police district offices, police stations and their attached units.

The standard PNP beat patrol uniform consists of a blue polo or Dri-Fit shirt, dark navy blue tactical trousers, a blue patrol cap and a high-visibility reflective safety vest.

Meanwhile, the patrol uniform worn by police personnel deployed in commercial areas consists of a bull cap, a patrol shirt with prescribed markings, PNP GOA trousers, a blue belt, a leather pistol belt, and patrol shoes with black socks.

The patrol uniform is generally worn during beat patrols, field investigations, inspections of deployed patrol personnel, and international gatherings or conferences when required by the host.

It may also be worn by PNP personnel assigned to United Nations missions and other similar activities as directed by the PNP chief.

The proposed uniform adjustment aims to reduce discomfort and help protect police personnel from heat-related illnesses while ensuring they can continue performing their duties effectively.

Recently, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported dangerously high heat indices in several parts of the country, including areas in Western Visayas.

On Nov. 4, Iloilo City and Dumangas, Iloilo, recorded heat indices of 42 degrees Celsius, reaching the danger level under PAGASA’s classification.

The heat index measures how hot the temperature feels to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the actual air temperature.

PAGASA classifies heat index values ranging from 42 to 51 degrees Celsius as dangerous, with prolonged exposure potentially causing heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

The state weather bureau also confirmed on Nov. 4 that a very strong El Niño was already present in the tropical Pacific and was expected to persist until the first half of 2027.

The phenomenon could intensify heat conditions and increase the likelihood of prolonged dry spells and drought in affected areas.

Earlier, PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed police commanders to strengthen safeguards against heat-related illnesses by adjusting field deployments, implementing rotational shifts and ensuring that personnel have access to drinking water and appropriate protective equipment.

The proposed uniform adjustment by PRO-6 forms part of efforts to protect police personnel from extreme heat while maintaining operational readiness and public safety services across Western Visayas.