Extreme heat has killed 3 people in Pili, Camarines Sur, the mayor said Wednesday, as the heat index in the town threatens to hit 48 degrees Celsius on Labor Day. 

Pili Mayor Thomas Bongalonta Jr. said state weather forecasters are monitoring the situation in the municipality as temperatures continue to rise. Heat index in the town has averaged 46 degrees Celsius since Friday, April 26, and hit a high of 49 degrees Celsius last Sunday.

“Dito sa amin, 3 empleyado na ang namatay dahil sa itong init. The other day ‘yung aming guard sa traffic ay namatay dahil inatake siya sa puso sa epekto ng init ng panahon at may dalawa pa,” Bongalonta said.

Pili, which translates to the Tagalog word for “choice” or “chosen”,  has 28 resorts, all of which are packed with tourists escaping the heat, the mayor said.

Face-to face classes in the town have been suspended except for  private schools that have air-conditioned rooms.

The local government has also distributed aid to persons with disabilities, solo parents and senior citizens during the dry season.

Health personnel including 2 municipal doctors are on call to help residents who are affected by the extreme weather.

Meanwhile, dangerous heat levels have also affected residents in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, with at least 1 person dying due to heat stroke.

Dagupan cooks in 49-degree sizzler after hitting 51 C 

“Sa record ng city health office may naitala na 3. May hypertension na ito. May 1 namatay dahil sa heat stroke as per report ng city health office at may 2 na-ospital nitong last week,” Ronald De Guzman, head of the Dagupan City-CDRRMO, said in a separate TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

Local education officials have shifted to online classes, he said. Barangay health workers are making the rounds to inform residents, especially senior citizens, to keep hydrated and stay away from the sun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

At least 35 areas are facing dangerously high heat index levels on Wednesday, Labor Day, according to the latest PAGASA heat index forecast. 

Topping the list is CBSUA-Pili, Camarines Sur with 48 degrees Celsius followed by Dagupan City at 47 degrees Celsius; Aparri, Cagayan at 46 degrees Celsius, Laoag City (45 degrees Celsius), Tuguegarao City (45 degrees Celsius), Puerto Princesa City (45 degrees Celsius), Virac, Catanduanes (45 degrees Celsius), and Masbate City (45 degrees Celsius). 

Other areas with dangerously high heat levels are: 

NAIA Pasay City, Metro Manila - 43 degrees Celsius 

Science Garden Quezon City, Metro Manila - 42 degrees Celsius

Sinait, Ilocos Sur - 42 degrees Celsius

MMSU, Batac, Ilocos Norte - 43 degrees Celsius 

Bacnotan, La Union - 43 degrees Celsius 

Iba, Zambales - 43 degrees Celsius 

ISU Echague, Isabela - 44 degrees Celsius

Baler, Radar - 43 degrees Celsius 

CLSU Munoz, Aurora - 42 degrees Celsius

Casiguran, Aurora - 44 degrees Celsius

Cubi Pt. Subic Bay, Olongapo City - 42 degrees Celsius

Sangley Point, Cavite - 43 degrees Celsius 

Alabat, Quezon - 43 degrees Celsius 

Coron, Palawan - 44 degrees Celsius 

San Jose, Occidental Mindoro - 44 degrees Celsius

Aborlan, Palawan - 44 degrees Celsius

Daet, Camarines Norte - 43 degrees Celsius

Legazpi City, Albay - 42 degrees Celsius

Roxas City, Capiz - 44 degrees Celsius

Mambusao, Capiz - 42 degrees Celsius

Iloilo City, Iloilo - 44 degrees Celsius

Dumangas, Iloilo - 44 degrees Celsius

La Granja, La Carlota, Negros Occidental - 43 degrees Celsius

Catarman, Northern Samar - 43 degrees Celsius

Catbalogan, Samar - 42 degrees Celsius

Tacloban City, Leyte - 43 degrees Celsius

Guiuan, Eastern Samar - 42 degrees Celsius