The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said 29 areas across the country have experienced "dangerous" heat indices on Wednesday, June 5.
PAGASA classifies a heat index within the danger level if it ranges from 42 degrees Celsius (°C) to 51°C.
This heat index classification indicates the likelihood of heat-related issues such as cramps and exhaustion, and an increased risk of heat stroke with continued activity.
The highest heat index of the day, recorded by PAGASA, was 49°C in Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte, followed by 46°C in Masbate City, Masbate.
A 45°C heat index was experienced in Bacnotan, La Union and Dumangas, Iloilo.
Meanwhile, it reached 44°C in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Aparri, Cagayan; Daet, Camarines Norte; Roxas City, Capiz; Iloilo City, Iloilo; Catarman, Northern Samar; Tacloban City, Leyte; Maasin, Southern Leyte; Dipolog, Zamboanga Del Norte; and Surigao City, Surigao Del Norte.
The heat index also reached 43°C in Iba, Zambales and Cuyo, Palawan.
PAGASA said a 42°C heat index was registered in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; CLSU Muñoz, Nueva Ecija; Ambulong, Tanauan Batangas; Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Legazpi City, Albay; Mambusao, Capiz; Mactan International Airport, Cebu; Siquijor, Siquijor; Catbalogan, Samar; Borongan, Eastern Samar; Guiuan, Eastern Samar; Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur; and Davao City, Davao Del Sur.
Heat index update resumes
PAGASA Deputy Administrator for Research and Development Marcelino Villafuerte II told the Manila Bulletin in a phone interview that the halt in heat index update issuance on June 1 was due to a "slight misunderstanding" in an internal memorandum.
"What happened was that over the weekend, there was a slight misunderstanding regarding our internal memorandum. That's why the issuance was temporarily suspended. However, we resumed it immediately on Monday," Villafuerte said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Last June 1, PAGASA announced that heat index updates had been halted due to the start of the rainy season.
"The main reason is that there is an existing memorandum. According to this, whenever there is a need to release heat index information, we are required to do so. And what we observed was that there were still many areas with a high heat index," he explained.
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