Dagupan City, Pangasinan Faces Extreme Heat

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned of dangerously high heat index values across the country, particularly in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, where a heat index of 42°C is expected on March 4th, 2025. This level falls under PAGASA’s “danger” category, indicating a significant risk of heat-related illnesses. The high heat index is attributed to the country’s transition from the rainy to the dry season, a normal occurrence during this time of year.

Other Areas Under Extreme Caution

Several other areas are also expected to experience high heat index values, reaching the “extreme caution” level (33-41°C). These include:

• National Capital Region (NCR): NAIA (40°C), Science Garden in Quezon City (39°C), Sangley Point, Cavite (40°C).
• Ilocos Region: Sinait, Ilocos Sur (37°C); Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (39°C); MMSU in Batac, Ilocos Norte (39°C); Bacnotan, La Union (39°C).
• Cagayan Valley: Calayan (35°C); Aparri (38°C); Tuguegarao City (39°C).
• Central Luzon: Iba, Zambales (41°C); Clark Airport, Pampanga (39°C); CLSU in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (38°C); Abucay, Bataan (37°C); Cubi Point in Subic Bay (41°C); San Ildefonso, Bulacan (39°C).
• CALABARZON: Tayabas City, Quezon (35°C); Ambulong in Tanauan, Batangas (39°C); Infanta, Quezon (37°C); Alabat, Quezon (37°C); Mulanay, Quezon (36°C).
• MIMAROPA: Calapan, Oriental Mindoro (41°C); Coron, Palawan (36°C); San Jose, Occidental Mindoro (37°C); Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (39°C); Cuyo, Palawan (39°C).
• Bicol Region: Daet, Camarines Norte (37°C); Legazpi City, Albay (33°C); Virac, Catanduanes (34°C); Masbate City, Masbate (38°C); CBSUA in Pili, Camarines Sur (33°C).
• Visayas: Roxas City, Capiz (36°C); Iloilo City, Iloilo (39°C); Dumangas, Iloilo (36°C); Dumageute City, Negros Oriental (38°C); Siquijor (36°C); Panglao International Airport, Bohol (34°C); Mactan International Airport, Cebu (35°C).
• Eastern Visayas: Catarman, Northern Samar (33°C); Catbalogan, Western Samar (34°C); Tacloban City, Leyte (34°C); Borongan, Eastern Samar (37°C); Guiuan, Eastern Samar (34°C); Maasin, Southern Leyte (37°C).
• Northern Mindanao: Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte (38°C); Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur (36°C); Laguindingan Airport, Misamis Oriental (36°C).
• Davao Region: Malaybalay, Bukidnon (34°C); CMU Agromet in Musuan, Bukidnon (36°C); Davao City, Davao del Sur (38°C).
• SOCCSKSARGEN: Cotabato City, Maguindanao (41°C); General Santos City, South Cotabato (38°C).
• Caraga: Surigao City, Surigao del Norte (33°C); Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (35°C); Butuan City, Agusan del Norte (38°C).

Health Precautions

The Department of Health (DOH) urges the public to take precautions against heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. They advise seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms arise and recommend the following first aid measures:

-Move the person to a cooler or shaded area.

-Remove any clothing that may trap body heat.

-Apply cold compresses or wet cloths to the skin, particularly on the head, face, neck, armpits, wrists, ankles, and groin.

-Contact emergency services or take the person to a hospital immediately.

-If conscious, offer small, frequent sips of cool water.