Manila City: No heat-related programs funded for Q1; plans in the works

May 15, 2024

Considering the “dangerous”-classified heat index recorded by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the City of Manila has still not funded any heat-related prevention programs, but plans are in the works. 

According to the Bureau of Local Government and Finance, the City of Manila has shelled out P1.67 billion for this year’s first quarter operating expenditures, with the social services and social welfare sector accounting for P37.60 million, none of which were meant for aiding extreme heat.  

“Combating the heat? wala eh. Kasi samin talaga, ang role ng MDSWD ay mag realto, census, and validate the families affected,” Gregorio Daing, a Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) representative said.  

Mayor Maria Sheilah "Honey" Lacuna-Pangan has directed the city’s social welfare department, along with the city’s health office and disaster risk reduction and management office, to formulate a heat index action plan matrix to address high temperatures caused by the ongoing El Niño. 

“Manila’s adapted heat index system should indicate when residents shall be required to stay indoors when outdoor activities at school and work shall be suspended, when face-to-face classes and onsite work shall be suspended, and when businesses that use a lot of water should reduce water use or limit their operations at night or temporarily stop operations for the greater good,” Mayor Lacuna said in a statement. 

The all-time high heat index recorded in Metro Manila was 45°C last April 27. 

The heat index is classified as how the air temperature and relative humidity affect the body's perception of temperature. 

The city’s social welfare department had a budget slice of P1.67 billion for 2024, which was lesser compared to its 2023 budget of P1.71 billion. 

Meanwhile, the city had P754.59 million in operating expenditures for social services. 

The health, nutrition, and population control had the highest disbursement with P515.45 million, followed by the education, culture and sports/manpower with a P107.81 million expenditure, and housing and community with P93.73 million.

- Jewyz Ann Bunyi & Hyacinth Kate Villanueva