(Photo courtesy of DSWD)
MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday, October 21, assured the public that government agencies are prepared to respond to Super Typhoon Rosal while studying a proposal to suspend work when the heat index reaches 40 degrees Celsius amid the ongoing El Niño.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of Health (DOH) are ready to implement disaster response measures.
“Ang DSWD, ang DPWH, ang DENR, lahat ng ahensiyang concerned, pati po ang DOH, handa po sila sa mga ganitong kondisyon at sitwasyon,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
She expressed hope that rainfall brought by Rosal could help alleviate drought conditions in areas affected by El Niño.
Castro also encouraged residents experiencing water shortages to collect and properly store rainwater when conditions are safe.
“Kung ang lugar ninyo ay magkakaroon ng malakas na ulan, tamang-tama, baka meron kayong pagkakataon na mag-ipon ng tubig kung kayo ay nakakaranas ngayon ng tagtuyot sa inyong lugar,” she said.
However, residents in typhoon-affected areas are advised to prioritize safety, follow evacuation orders when necessary, and avoid collecting water outdoors during strong winds, lightning or flooding.
According to the 11 a.m. bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Rosal was moving west-northwestward at 25 kilometers per hour over the sea east of Northern Luzon.
The super typhoon was packing maximum sustained winds of 215 kph near its center, with gusts reaching 265 kph.
Work suspension during extreme heat under review
Meanwhile, Castro confirmed that the Marcos administration is evaluating a proposal to suspend work when the heat index reaches 40 degrees Celsius.
She said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had directed a review of the proposal to determine whether such a measure would help protect workers and the public from extreme heat.
Castro acknowledged that Filipinos are accustomed to high temperatures, particularly during the dry season, but emphasized that prolonged exposure to excessive heat could pose health risks.
“So, tignan po natin ang sitwasyon. At ang Pangulo naman po ay pinapaaral ang ganitong klaseng suhestiyon kung nararapat ba para naman sa ikagiginhawa at kaligtasan na rin ng ating mga kababayan na sa ngayon tayo ay nakakaranas ng very strong El Niño,” she said.
The Palace has yet to announce a final decision or specific guidelines on the proposed work suspension.
The government continues to monitor the effects of both Super Typhoon Rosal and El Niño as concerned agencies prepare measures to protect communities from severe weather conditions and extreme heat.