February 25 ------ The amihan or northeast monsoon is still around but the El Niño is bringing more humid weather to many parts of the country, weather bureau PAGASA said. According to PAGASA Climatology and Agrometeology Division officer-in-charge Ana Liza Solis, residents in urban areas like Metro Manila are most likely to feel hotter days ahead. “Siyempre mas mainit dito sa urban area kasi meron tayong tinatawag na urban heat island effect. Kapag nagkakaroon na ng init, nahihirapan nang mag-bounce back yung ating mga init sa itaas. Dagdag pa yan kung sa araw ay walang ulap and then pagdating sa gabi ay maraming kaulapan, thats that time na tumataas yung ating alinsangan at init,” Solis told ABS-CBN News.
Narcisa Millanes, 52, has been working as a street sweeper of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for 18 years. She needs to work every day under the sweltering heat. "Mahirap pero masaya. Ito na eh. Trabaho hanap, Wala eh. High blood na nga po ako eh. Tulad ngayon paganyan-ganyan yun dibdib ko oh, yun ulo ko," Millanes said.
According to Civil Service Commission Comissioner Atty. Aileen Lizada, the government is willing to make adjustments, if necessary, for government workers regarding the El Nino's effects. “If the heat is too much for them, they may request from the head of agency. We are that considerate naman. That’s why we have this shifting of schedules, baka itong mga times na super hot then tingnan natin ano ang time na yan,” Lizada said.
Philippine Medical Association president Dr. Maria Minerva Calimag also advised the public to be extra careful to avoid heatstroke and other heat-related medical conditions. “Importante na lagi silang hydrated, magdala sila lagi ng tubig para meron silang maiinom. Siguraduhin na alam nila kung saan yung merong shade, makakatulong yun para mag-cool down yung temperature nila,” Calimag said.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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