Philippines Faces Rising Heat: A Call for Urgent Action Amidst Climate Challenges

As the Philippines basks in unusually cool weather brought on by the lingering effects of La Niña, a stark warning looms on the horizon: temperatures are set to soar once again, potentially breaking records in the coming months. Despite the temporary reprieve, January 2025 has been recorded as the warmest month globally, according to satellite data from the European Union’s Copernicus programme. This alarming trend, compounded by intensifying heat waves and extreme weather events, underscores the urgent need for the Philippine government to prioritise a comprehensive heat action plan to protect its vulnerable population.

The deceptive calm of La Niña, a periodic cooling of sea-surface temperatures in the east-central equatorial Pacific, has misled many into complacency. Yet, experts caution against underestimating the broader climate trajectory. Samantha Burgess of the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts noted that the expected cooling effect of La Niña has been surprisingly ineffective in curbing global temperature rises. Meanwhile, Richard P. Allan, a professor of climate science at the University of Reading, warned that natural cooling phases are becoming less capable of offsetting the relentless impact of rising greenhouse gas levels.

A Nation Vulnerable to Typhoons

The Philippines, a country perpetually at the mercy of nature’s extremes, is no stranger to the devastating effects of climate change. Ranked 10th in the 2025 Climate Risk Index, which assesses countries most affected by extreme weather events, the nation has endured significant human and economic tolls. Over the past 29 years (1993-2022), more than 6.4 million Filipinos have been impacted by 372 extreme weather events, resulting in economic losses exceeding $34 billion (approximately P2 trillion) when adjusted for inflation.

While typhoons—an average of 20 per year—dominate headlines due to their destructive power, heat waves and droughts pose an equally insidious threat. Last year, temperatures in the Philippines surged past 42 degrees Celsius, affecting 4.6 million people and prompting the closure of 4,000 schools nationwide. The government declared a state of calamity in over 400 cities, while regions like Cebu grappled with severe water shortages. These events are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of escalating climate risks that demand a proactive response.

Globally, the situation is no less dire. Independent media outlet Mongabay has reported that oceanic heat waves are growing “larger and stronger,” overwhelming natural cooling phenomena like La Niña. In the Arctic, warming is occurring at a rate four times faster than the global average, with Jennifer Francis of the Woodwell Climate Research Center describing the region as running a “dangerous fever.” For a tropical nation like the Philippines, such global trends translate into local crises—heat waves that disrupt education, droughts that cripple agriculture, and water shortages that threaten public health.

The Case for a National Heat Action Plan

The Philippine government’s current approach to heat waves and droughts, often integrated into broader disaster management frameworks or left to community-led initiatives, falls short of addressing the scale of the challenge. Unlike countries such as Singapore and India, which have implemented dedicated heat action plans, the Philippines lacks a cohesive national strategy to mitigate the impacts of rising temperatures. This gap is particularly concerning given the country’s exposure to extreme heat, which disproportionately affects students in poorly ventilated classrooms, outdoor workers, and farmers whose livelihoods depend on stable weather patterns.

Experts argue that a robust heat action plan should encompass early warning systems, public awareness campaigns, medical professional training, and adaptive measures to reduce heat exposure. The city of Ahmedabad in India offers a compelling model. Following a deadly heat wave in 2010, Ahmedabad launched South Asia’s first heat action plan in 2013, investing in early warnings and healthcare training. These efforts have since prevented an estimated 1,100 heat-related deaths annually, demonstrating the life-saving potential of proactive policy.

Similarly, Singapore’s heat action plan, embedded within its Green Plan 2030, integrates practical solutions to combat urban heat. Measures such as increasing greenery, applying cool paint to buildings, and discouraging car ownership—which contributes to heat and emissions—reflect a holistic approach to climate adaptation. For the Philippines, where urban centres like Manila are already heat islands, adopting similar strategies could significantly alleviate the burden of rising temperatures.

A Locked-In Future of Heat

The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. Joy Shumake Guillemot of the World Meteorological Organization’s Joint Office for Climate and Health has warned that the question is no longer whether temperatures will rise, but how much hotter conditions will become and how societies will cope. “Unfortunately, we are already locked into this hotter future,” she said, emphasising that the coming decades will be far warmer than anything experienced in recent history.

For Filipinos, this reality hits close to home. The extreme heat of last year serves as a grim reminder of what lies ahead if action is delayed. Students, workers, farmers, and entire communities are at risk, with no one immune to the pervasive effects of global warming. Agriculture, a cornerstone of the national economy, faces severe disruption from droughts, while public health systems strain under the weight of heat-related illnesses. Without a dedicated heat action plan, the government risks leaving millions exposed to preventable suffering.

Challenges and Opportunities for Policy Reform

Crafting a national heat action plan for the Philippines is not without challenges. Budget constraints, bureaucratic inertia, and the need for coordination across local and national levels pose significant hurdles. Moreover, the country’s geographical diversity—spanning urban heat islands like Manila to rural agricultural regions—requires tailored solutions that account for local conditions. Yet, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation and collaboration.

Partnerships with international organisations and learning from regional success stories, such as those in India and Singapore, could provide the necessary framework for policy development. Public-private partnerships could also play a role, particularly in funding infrastructure improvements like ventilated schools and urban cooling initiatives. Community engagement, a strength of Filipino society, should be leveraged to ensure that awareness campaigns and adaptation measures resonate at the grassroots level.

There is also a broader geopolitical dimension to consider. Climate change is a shared challenge across South East Asia, where nations face similar risks from rising temperatures and extreme weather. Regional cooperation, perhaps through platforms like ASEAN, could amplify the impact of individual national efforts. For the Philippines, taking a leadership role in advocating for climate adaptation would not only bolster its domestic resilience but also enhance its standing in regional and global climate discussions.

The cool weather currently gracing the Philippines offers a fleeting moment of respite, but it must not lull policymakers into inaction. The data is clear: global temperatures are rising, natural cooling mechanisms are weakening, and vulnerable nations like the Philippines stand on the frontlines of this crisis. The government must act now to develop a comprehensive heat action plan, drawing inspiration from successful models abroad while tailoring solutions to the unique needs of its people.

Students should not have to endure sweltering classrooms, farmers should not lose their livelihoods to drought, and communities should not face water shortages as a matter of course. As the world grapples with a “locked-in” hotter future, the burning question remains: is the Philippines ready to confront the heat? The answer lies in the hands of its leaders, who must prioritise climate adaptation before the next record-breaking heat wave strikes.