Sen. Risa Hontiveros has urged local government units (LGUs) to establish free drinking water stations and public cooling centers nationwide to protect Filipinos from extreme heat as the country prepares for a potentially powerful Super El Niño.
In a statement on Tuesday, Oct. 27, Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, called for immediate coordination between national and local governments to ensure that access to clean drinking water and protection from dangerous temperatures would not become additional financial burdens for ordinary Filipinos.
“Dapat may libreng drinking water stations sa mga lugar kung saan araw-araw na nagtatrabaho at nagtitipon ang ating mga kababayan. Hindi dapat dagdag gastos ang pag-iwas sa dehydration at heat stroke,” Hontiveros said.
The senator proposed installing drinking fountains and water refilling stations in public markets, transportation terminals and other crowded areas, particularly where commuters, vendors and outdoor workers face prolonged exposure to heat.
She emphasized that simply monitoring and announcing heat index levels would not be enough without concrete measures to prevent dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Hontiveros also recommended converting existing government facilities, including public schools, libraries, museums and community centers, into temporary cooling shelters where residents could seek relief during periods of extreme heat.
Shopping malls and other private establishments were likewise encouraged to open air-conditioned common areas to the public without requiring visitors to purchase goods or services.
“May mga public spaces na naman tayo sa government na pwedeng puntahan ng ating mga kababayan. Sana makapaglaan din ang ating private sector ng mga lugar kung saan malayang makapagpapahinga at makapagpapalamig ang mga tao, kahit wala silang bibilhin,” she said.
Her proposal comes amid warnings that the developing El Niño could intensify drought conditions, strain water supplies and contribute to dangerous temperatures, particularly during the country’s next dry season.
