Employers seek flexibility to prevent heat stress this summer

MANILA, Philippines — Businesses and schools must be given flexibility to deal with the intense summer heat rather than follow blanket policies, according to the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP).

“It’s easy to make general recommendations, but advisories should be issued with caution and without overreaction,” ECOP president Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. said in a recent interview.

He emphasized that temporarily closing schools and workplaces amid extreme heat could disrupt the education of students and cause financial losses for businesses.

READ: Hot weather days disrupt classes, even work

Instead, he suggested that authorities issue simple and practical guidelines, while allowing organizations to take precautions based on their specific circumstances.

Measures like ensuring proper ventilation in the workplace and providing sufficient drinking water should be encouraged without imposing unnecessary regulatory burden, he said.

READ: Heat index hits ‘danger’ levels in 5 Luzon areas

“No company wants its employees or students to suffer from heat-related illnesses. However, each institution faces different circumstances,” Ortiz-Luis said.

Last week, the state weather bureau recorded a sudden surge in the heat index in Metro Manila and other areas of Luzon. The index hit 42 to 51°C, prompting some schools in Metro Manila to cancel classes.

This range fell within the “danger” level classified by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

PAGASA warned that such temperature range significantly increases the risk of heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.

(2025/03/08-19:00)