Artificial greenery might look nice on buildings, but it’s not cooling the air, and it’s definitely not stopping climate change. What we need now isn’t cosmetic fixes—it’s real, measurable climate action.
As we step deeper into 2025, the Philippines is feeling the full weight of a warming world. Our nation now ranks as the third most heat-impacted country in Asia, according to Climate Central. And it shows—in the blistering streets, in classrooms without air conditioning, and in communities where the heat is becoming unbearable.
Since March, heat indices across the country have soared to alarming levels. Temperatures in many areas have reached 39°C and higher, with some places hitting a staggering 50°C. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that on April 15, 2025, Los Baños, Laguna hit that frightening 50°C mark.
But these aren’t just numbers—they’re warnings. PAGASA’s heat index chart defines 27–32°C as “caution,” 33–41°C as “extreme caution,” 42–51°C as “danger,” and anything above 52°C as “extreme danger.” In other words, much of the country is living in dangerously hot conditions almost daily.
While 2025’s numbers are alarming, they’re building on a trend. PAGASA confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year in the Philippines since records began in 1951. ABS-CBN reported new all-time high temperatures in cities across the country last year:
- Clark, Pampanga: 39.1°C
- NAIA, Pasay City: 38.8°C
- Sangley Point, Cavite City: 38.7°C
- Butuan City: 38.0°C
- Malaybalay City: 37.5°C
- Tanay, Rizal: 35.0°C
To put it in perspective: Pasay City hit a heat index of 45°C last year. This year, it nearly matched that at 44°C in April—still within the “danger” zone.
Early in the year, experts from PAGASA’s Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section predicted that 2025 wouldn’t be as extreme as 2024. But five months in, we know better. The heat isn’t just lingering—it’s intensifying.
It’s time to trade talk for action
Climate change isn’t some far-off threat. It’s here, it’s now, and it’s heating up our homes, classrooms, and cities. According to PAGASA’s Ana Liza Solis, the increase in frequency and intensity of weather extremes demands urgent, calibrated action—not just from the government, but from all of us.
The Climate Change Act (Republic Act No. 9729) exists, but laws are only as good as their enforcement. We need to bring climate action out of the paper and into our policies, streets, and everyday choices.
The National Climate Change Action Plan lays out what must be prioritized: food security, water sufficiency, and sustainable energy. These aren’t just boxes to tick—they’re lifelines for a nation at risk.
But national plans won’t work without public participation. We all have a part to play:
- Support and vote for eco-forward policies
- Reduce energy consumption
- Choose sustainable options in daily life
- Cut back on waste
- Advocate for climate awareness
If you can’t stand outside for more than 10 minutes without feeling dizzy, something’s wrong.
Let’s stop settling for surface-level “green” and start pushing for deep, systemic change. Because climate change won’t wait—and neither should we.
galing ganda