If the first two months of 2025 had been bone-chilling for many of us Lagunenses, the first day of March hit with a sudden rise in temperatures.
As of the writing of this editorial (March 4), several cities in Laguna province have already recorded heat indexes of 36 to 38 degrees Celsius.
And with the northeast monsoon, or “amihan,” expected to weaken in the next few weeks, we are sure to see temperatures zoom up again as we enter the dry season.
What remains to be seen is whether heat indexes in the province will once again reach danger levels as we had experienced in 2024, the hottest year on record according to meteorologists.
But even if heat levels won’t rise to the extremes this year as Pagasa officials have assured, it still behooves us to prepare for what should be three or four months of unbearably hot weather.
Even more so, as this year is an election year – which meant lots of campaign rallies, sorties, and outdoor activities that will expose candidates and supporters to the hottest hours of the day.
Once again, it’s the simplest of precautions that work best: ensuring proper ventilation of all venues; avoiding direct sunlight at the height of the day; and of course, staying hydrated all the time.
Election officials should also ensure that voters are protected from the worst effects of the heat, especially during Election Day itself when voters are sure to crowd polling precincts at what is usually the hottest month of the year in the Philippines.
There’s still time for us to ensure that we will not again have to suffer the extreme heat we have experienced the previous year – and we have to do it fast.
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