Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa warned the public of “extreme heat” conditions after witnessing food being cooked outdoors under the scorching midday sun.

“Mayroon nga akong nakita nagluto ng itlog sa pan ng 12 noon, naluto ang itlog. Nagprito rin siya ng liempo, naluto (TRANSLATION),” he said in a Bagong Pilipinas interview on Monday, April 8, citing dangerous levels of heat and urgent need for preventive measures against heat-related illnesses.

"Dine-declare ng Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) ngayon ang heat index, 'yun ang titignan natin at hindi ang ambient temperature (PAGASA now declares the heat index, that's what we should look at and not just the ambient temperature)," Herbosa said.

He noted that the heat index is a combination of the weather's humidity and the actual ambient temperature.

"Halimbawa 31 ang temperature, pero 'yung humidity mo mga 70, parang mga 40 plus ang heat index (For example, if the temperature is 31 degrees, but your humidity is around 70, it's like a heat index of over 40)," Herbosa said.

"So talagang papawisan ka at made-dehydrate ka so dito lalabas ang mga heat illnesses (So you will really sweat and become dehydrated, and that's when heat illnesses will surface)," he noted.

Herbosa outlined the progression of heat-related ailments, starting from dehydration and advancing to heat cramps, fatigue, and potentially culminating in heatstroke, underscoring the critical importance of prevention at all stages.

Addressing outdoor activities, he advised, "Kung ikaw ay laging nasa labas, dapat mayroon kayong sumbrero, cover ang katawan, dapat hydrated at mag rest (If you're always outdoors, you should have a hat, cover your body, stay hydrated, and rest)" Herbosa said.

Moreover, turning to the recent school class suspension due to extreme heat, he revealed discussions held during a previous meeting with the El Niño Task Force.

"Noong nagmeeting kami ng El Niño Task Force last December ay sinabi ko 'yan (When we had a meeting with the El Niño Task Force last December, I mentioned that," Herbosa said.

"Dipende 'yan kasi hindi tayo makakapagdeclare ng general so ang magdesisyon ay ang teacher at naroon sa environment, dahil iba iba ang eskwelahan, iba iba ang environment (It depends because we can't declare a general rule, so the decision lies with the teacher and the situation in the environment because schools vary, environments vary)," he explained.

He said that some classrooms have big electric fans and windows, while others do not.

"If it's really not conducive to learning, they can declare alternative methods of learning like blended learning, at home," Herbosa said. "The teacher and the principal will decide," he added.

Herbosa said that he supports such activities rather than having children suffer from dehydration.

He also clarified that it is not necessary to wait for the local government to announce the suspension of classes due to extreme heat.

"Hindi naman totally no classes, alternative method lang so pwedeng sa bahay gawin ang mga gawain sa school (It's not a total cancellation of classes, just an alternative method so activities that would normally be done in school can be completed at home)," he noted.