Akbayan Partylist today called on the government to provide protections and relief from the extreme heat for students, workers, and those who are in danger of prolonged heat exposure. The call came after a recent report from nonprofit Climate Central that the Philippines was the third highest country in Asia with unusual levels of heat added by climate change. Recent weather forecasts have highlighted temperatures in the country reaching 40° Celsius and above in the past few days.
According to Akbayan Partylist Rep. Perci Cendaña, it was imperative for government agencies and LGUs to provide measures to alleviate the dangers from the summer heat: “Many of our teachers, students, and young people are in danger of heat exhaustion or similar conditions, kaya mahalaga na tiyakin ang proper ventilation at seguraduhin na may accessible drinking fountains sa mga paaralan.”
“We also hope our LGUs will be proactive in suspending classes when heat levels are already unbearable for students. Dapat na rin isipin na yung matinding init sa panahon ng climate change ay matinding perwisyo na rin sa ating magaaral,” according to Rep. Cendaña.
Akbayan also urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to ensure the strict implementation of existing regulations for workers’ protections from extreme heat.
“Nananawagan ako sa DOLE na magkondukta ng surprise inspection sa mga opisina, pabrika, at mga construction sites kung natutupad yung nakasaad sa Labor Advisory 08 that mandates proper ventilation, rest breaks from heat exposure, free drinking water, and temperature-appropriate equipment and PPEs for those working with extreme heat,” according to Rep. Cendaña.
Rep. Cendaña also urged delivery and ride hailing companies to adopt incentives or benefits to workers who have to be exposed to extreme heat during certain times of the day as an industry standard: “Kailangan din natin isipin na marami sa ating mga delivery riders ay kailangan bumiyahe ng tanghali kung kailan pinakamainit ang araw. This is hazardous work at dapat suklian ng sapat na insentibo para bumiyahe dagdag pa sa proteksyon na dapat nilang nakukuha.”
