Malacañang has bared the government's plans to address the rising number of measles cases and the worsening heat index in the country, including an ongoing vaccination program and establishing cooling centers.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after the Department of Health (DOH) reported a 35-percent increase in the number of measles cases in the country amid the expected rise of the heat index to danger levels as forecasted by state weather bureau PAGASA.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, March 26, the Palace Press Officer assured Filipinos that the government was ready to address their health needs.

"Minsan may mga factors po talaga na mahirap na i-predict pero ang gobyerno po ay handa po sa mga ganitong klaseng mga pagkakataon at sitwasyon (Sometimes there are factors we couldn't predict but the government is prepared to address these situations)," she said.

Castro urged parents to avail of the government's measles catch-up immunization campaign called "Bakunahan sa Purok ni Juan" to protect their children from measles.

"Kung ang kababayan po natin ay may mga panahon, punta lamang po sila sa mga health centers at mai-a-avail po nila itong pagbabakuna especially sa sinasabi nating tigdas (If you're free, just go to our health centers and avail of the anti-measles vaccine)," she said.

The ongoing vaccination program in Metro Manila started on March 17 and will end on March 28. It will go to other local governments beginning in the second quarter of the year. So far, the program is available in health centers in the cities of Manila, Caloocan, Quezon, Taguig, Mandaluyong, and Las Piñas.

The DOH aims to inoculate 400,000 children.

Meanwhile, Castro said the DOH has issued Department Memorandum No. 2025-0114, which outlines measures to beat the health impacts of heat.

The memorandum, first circulated on March 7, directs DOH units, including DOH-retained hospitals and health facilities like the Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) centers, to implement key strategies to address the rising heat index.

In addition, Castro said the government would also launch public health literacy campaigns, establish cooling centers, and build climate-resilient health infrastructure that includes hydration stations.

Cooling centers are air-conditioned or well-ventilated areas near public transportation routes accessible to the general public, while hydration stations will make clean and safe drinking water available to the public at DOH facilities.