The Philippines has emerged as one of Asia’s hardest-hit nations by extreme heat linked to climate change, with nearly 200,000 Filipinos exposed to dangerous temperatures over the past three months, according to a new report by Climate Central, a nonprofit scientific organisation. Ranking third in the region for “unusual heat” driven by human-induced climate change, the country endured 74 days of temperatures classified at Climate Shift Index (CSI) level 2 or higher, a metric indicating a strong likelihood that such conditions are a direct result of global warming.
This alarming trend, detailed in a study released on Wednesday, underscores the growing health risks and societal challenges posed by rising temperatures across the archipelago. With Manila among the world’s megacities most affected by climate-driven heat, and the nation recording risky heat days that exceed historical norms, experts warn that without urgent action, vulnerable communities will bear the brunt of an intensifying crisis.
A Region Under Siege from Heat
Climate Central’s report paints a stark picture of Asia’s battle with extreme heat over the last three months (December to February). The Philippines joins Brunei Darussalam (83 days) and the Maldives (81 days) at the top of the regional list for days with CSI level 2 or higher, a threshold where climate change is deemed a significant driver of temperature anomalies. Other South East Asian nations, including Indonesia (72 days), Malaysia (63 days), and Singapore (56 days), also feature prominently in the study, which surveyed 51 countries across the continent. 
The CSI, developed by Climate Central, measures the local impact of climate change on daily temperatures, with higher levels reflecting a stronger influence. The report estimates that over 554 million people across 10 Asian countries experienced at least 30 days of such extreme heat, with 45 million exposed to “risky heat” days—temperatures hotter than 90% of those recorded locally between 1991 and 2020. In the Philippines alone, nearly 200,000 individuals faced these heightened risks, a figure that, while a fraction of the nation’s 116 million population, signals a deepening public health concern.
Manila, the bustling capital, stands out as one of 11 global megacities—urban centres with populations exceeding 10 million—enduring significant climate-driven heat. The city recorded 69 days at CSI level 2 or higher, trailing only Lagos, Nigeria (89 days), and Tamil Nadu, India (81 days). This prolonged exposure, scientists warn, elevates the risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly among the elderly, children, and outdoor workers who lack access to cooling or adequate shelter.
The Human Cost of Rising Temperatures
The immediate impacts of this heatwave are already visible. On 3 March, images from Manila captured parents shielding children from the scorching sun with school bags as classes were suspended due to unbearable conditions. Such disruptions are becoming more frequent, with schools, workplaces, and daily routines upended by temperatures that scientists attribute to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and methane gas.
“Human-caused climate change increased heat-related health risks for billions and made extreme heat events more likely around the globe,” the Climate Central report stated. In the Philippines, the health implications are compounded by socioeconomic challenges. Many urban poor in Manila live in densely packed informal settlements with limited ventilation, while rural communities lack the infrastructure to cope with prolonged heat stress on agriculture and water supplies.
The study also highlights the concept of “risky heat” days, defined as temperatures exceeding historical local thresholds. The Philippines recorded two such days in the last three months, ranking eighth in Asia behind Timor-Leste (22 days) and Indonesia (16 days). While this number may seem modest, Climate Central notes that health risks rise sharply when temperatures cross these benchmarks, straining both individuals and public health systems.
Climate Change as a Regional and Global Threat
The broader findings of Climate Central’s analysis, which spans 220 countries and 940 cities, reveal a planet grappling with the consequences of greenhouse gas emissions. Drawing on data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and population estimates from sources like Encyclopedia Britannica, the study underscores that Asia is not alone in facing this crisis. Yet the region’s tropical climate, high population density, and varying levels of adaptive capacity make it particularly vulnerable.
In South East Asia, nations like Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka, and Singapore also reported significant risky heat days, reflecting a shared regional challenge. Brunei Darussalam and the Maldives, despite their smaller populations, topped the list for sustained extreme heat, a reminder that climate impacts do not discriminate by size or economic status.
For the Philippines, the intersection of climate change with other environmental stressors—such as typhoons, rising sea levels, and deforestation—amplifies the urgency of response. The country is no stranger to natural disasters, often ranking among the most at-risk nations globally due to its geographic location in the Pacific Ring of Fire and its exposure to tropical cyclones. Extreme heat adds another layer of complexity, threatening food security, water availability, and economic stability.
Pathways to Resilience
Addressing the heat crisis demands a multi-pronged approach, from immediate relief measures to long-term policy shifts. In the short term, local governments in the Philippines have implemented heatwave protocols, including school closures and public advisories to stay hydrated and avoid midday sun exposure. However, these measures are stopgaps, insufficient for communities lacking access to electricity or cooling facilities.
Urban planning offers one avenue for adaptation. Expanding green spaces in cities like Manila could mitigate the urban heat island effect, where concrete and asphalt absorb and re-emit heat, exacerbating temperatures. Investments in affordable housing with better insulation and ventilation are also critical, particularly for low-income families most exposed to heat risks.
At a national level, the Philippines has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris Agreement, with a focus on transitioning to renewable energy sources. Yet progress remains uneven, with coal still accounting for a significant share of the energy mix. Advocates argue that accelerating this shift, alongside reforestation and sustainable land use policies, could help curb the worst effects of climate change over time.
Regionally, South East Asian nations could benefit from collaborative frameworks to share resources, technology, and best practices for heat adaptation. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has made strides in disaster risk reduction, but heatwaves remain an underexplored priority compared to floods or earthquakes. Elevating this issue on the regional agenda could unlock funding and expertise for vulnerable member states.
A Call for Global Action
The Climate Central report serves as a sobering reminder that extreme heat is not a distant threat but a present reality for millions, including nearly 200,000 Filipinos identified as directly exposed. As temperatures climb and risky heat days multiply, the window for meaningful intervention narrows.
For the Philippines, the stakes are personal as much as they are planetary. Each day of unusual heat disrupts lives, from students unable to attend school to farmers watching crops wither under unrelenting sun. Manila’s place among the world’s most affected megacities is a call to action, not just for national leaders but for the global community whose emissions disproportionately impact tropical nations.
If left unchecked, the trajectory of climate-driven heat could reshape the region’s future, with health, economic, and social costs that are difficult to predict but certain to be profound. The question is no longer whether climate change is altering life in the Philippines, but how swiftly and effectively society can respond to protect its most vulnerable. For now, as parents shield children from the sun and scientists sound the alarm, the heat continues to rise—both literally and as a metaphor for the urgency of our shared crisis.
