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Although the Philippines is known for its agricultural cultural heritage, it faces challenges in this sector. The rising local rice prices have become a major issue because the cost of living continues to rise but minimum wage rates remain unchanged. As Filipinos, we should do our best to vote the right leaders as the 2025 elections approaches, because this decision will lead to swift solutions for food safety and protection of both national supplies and public safety.

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For the dirty hands that fills my empty plate

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For the dirty hands that fills my empty plate

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We feed off of the crops and livestock grown by farmers, so if they struggle with their work due to lack of digitization and mechanization, then as consumers residing in the metro, we directly suffer from the lack of food on our tables or higher prices from low production.

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In a news article by Cervantes (2025) on the expansion of tech-based aid for farmers, he noted:

The lack of access to smartphones and internet is a major barrier to technology adoption among rice farmers," he said. He added that bringing public agricultural services online will provide farmers with valuable data and easier access to government assistance. "The government must invest in programs that give farmers access to digital tools," he said.

Cervantes, F. M. (2025, February 25). Lawmaker pushes for expanded tech-based aid for farmers. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1243771

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Lawmaker pushes for expanded tech-based aid for farmers

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The chairperson of the House Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on Monday recommended the expansion of government-led, technology-driven agricultural programs to improve farmers’ productivity and income. In a news release, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said the…

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"On Feb. 3, 2025, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. declared a rice emergency due to the extraordinary rise in local rice prices. The National Food Authority (NFA) will release 300,000 metric tons of rice to stabilize prices. This highlights the ongoing issue of food security in the Philippines, as domestic food prices remain high despite global market stability." (as cited in Navarro, R. L., 2025)

Navarro, R. L. (2025, March 3). Food security and the 2025 elections. INQUIRER.net. https://opinion.inquirer.net/181259/food-security-and-the-2025-elections

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On Feb. 3, 2025, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. declared a rice emergency in response to the extraordinary rise in local rice prices despite lower global market prices and a reduction

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Food security emergency for rice: The real issues

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This infographic illustrates the strategy that the NFA will implement to stabilize local rice prices in the news article by Lustan (2025).

Lustan, E. (2025, February 7). Food security emergency for rice: The real issues. INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2032518/food-security-emergency-for-rice-the-real-issues

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While neighboring institutions like the University of Santo Tomas (UST) AND De La Salle University (DLSU) suspended in-person classes, we Ateneans continued with regular classes, leaving us to face the soaring heat conditions which compromised student health and well-being. Beyond this, the heat wave poses extreme health risk for the broader community and workforce, especially to outdoor workers, underscoring the need for comprehensive measures to protect public health.

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The Philippines has the potential to harness renewable energy from its abundant natural resources, yet it remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Shifting to cleaner energy sources is not just an environmental necessity but also a step toward more affordable and stable electricity for Filipinos.

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In the headline news article by the Philippine Daily Inquirer (2025), it was stated that:

"Five areas in Luzon experienced a heat index within “danger” levels on Wednesday,according to the latest figures from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), leading to class and work suspensions in at least two places.

Pagasa also predicted that the heat index in most areas nationwide will range from 33 to 41 degrees Celsius for the rest of the week."

Heat index hits ‘danger’ levels in 5 Luzon areas. (2025, March 6). Philippine Daily Inquirer. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2040858/heat-index-hits-danger-levels-in-5-luzon-areas

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MANILA, Philippines - Five areas in Luzon experienced a heat index within "danger" levels on Wednesday, according to the latest figures from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), leading to class and work suspensions in at least two places.

Pagasa also predicted that the heat index in most areas nationwide will range from 33 to 41 degrees Celsius for the rest of the week.

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As of 5 p.m. yesterday, Pagasa said its stations in Echague, Isabela; Baler, Aurora; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; and Pili, Camarines Sur, registered a heat index of 42ºC, while Virac, Catanduanes, recorded the highest at 43ºC.

The heat index in San Jose was expected to remain in the "danger" zone at 42 C until Friday, while the rest would be within the "extreme caution" category, ranging from 33ºC to 41ºC.

Meanwhile, Iba, Zambales, which has been hovering in the "extreme caution" category since March 1, is seen to hit a "danger" level of 42ºC on Friday.
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As distinguished from the actual temperature, the heat index is based on the apparent temperature, which is what humans perceive as the temperature affecting their bodies. It is measured by combining data of the air temperature and relative humidity.
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Health concerns

Pagasa classifies areas under the "danger" category if the heat index falls under 42ºC to 51ºC. The weather bureau said that "heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely" and "heatstroke is probable with continued exposure" under this level.

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Areas fall under "extreme caution" if the heat index ranges from 33ºC to 41ºC. Pagasa warns that "heat cramps and heat exhaustion are possible" and "continuing activity could lead to heatstroke" under this category.

Areas whose heat index falls within 27ºC to 32ºC are classified under the "caution" category, with the weather bureau noting that "fatigue is possible with prolonged exposure and activity. Continuing activity could [also] lead to heat cramps."

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Preventive measures

Wednesday's extreme heat led local governments in Cavite and Pili, Camarines Sur, to suspend classes and work.

In a phone interview, Pili Mayor Tomas Bongalonta said the suspension was a precautionary measure following reports that two students fainted at San Jose Pili National High School on Wednesday morning. Pili is the first municipality in the region to take such measures.

"In a report to me by assistant principal Mrs. Teody Togue, the incident occurred between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., when the extreme temperatures caused two female students, one from Grade 11 and the other from Grade 10, to lose consciousness due to the heat," Bongalonta said.

The students received immediate attention from school staff and were now in good condition, he added.

Acting municipal administrator Jesus Santiago Sarte advised schools in Pili to immediately implement alternative modes of learning.

In Cavite, Gov. Athena Tolentino announced on Tuesday the suspension of classes at all levels, both public and private, following high heat index forecasts.

Tolentino advised the public to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged sun exposure, and wear light, breathable clothing.

She also reminded pet owners to provide their animals with clean water and cool environs.

End of 'amihan'

Pagasa predicts that most areas in the country will continue to experience a heat index within the "extreme caution" category for the rest of the week.

Only four stations will experience a heat index under 33 C over a two-day forecast or until Friday: Itbayat and Basco in Batanes and Baguio City and La Trinidad in Benguet. The heat index in Calayan, Cagayan, is seen to go down to 31ºC on Thursday, while La Trinidad is expected to have the lowest at 24ºC on Thursday and 22ºC on Friday.

Pagasa earlier reported that the country had been feeling the effects of the easterlies or warm air coming from the Pacific Ocean.

It also projected that the cooling effect of the northeast monsoon ("amihan") is expected to end within the month. -with reports from Delfin T. Mallari, Jr., Michael B. Jaucian, and Jeanmae Reyes

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Heat index hits 'danger' levels in 5 Luzon areas

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MANILA, Philippines - Five areas in Luzon experienced a heat index within "danger" levels on Wednesday, according to the latest figures from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and

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According to Serquiña (2025), “Following a successful round of the state initiative to facilitate investments in renewable energy (RE), the Philippine government is planning to conduct another Green Energy Auction (GEA) in 2025.”

GMA News Online. (2025, February 19). PH eyes green energy auction in 2025, bullish on solar investments. GMA News Online. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/936746/ph-eyes-green-energy-auction-in-2025-bullish-on-solar-investments/story/?amp

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Let’s go renewable. (n.d.). Letsgorenewable.Ph. Retrieved March 7, 2025, from https://letsgorenewable.ph/a-101-on-renewable-energy-in-the-philippines

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The multimodal text above presents the current issue on the dangerous heat index levels. Furthermore, it provides Ateneans with tips on how to beat the heat (SOSE Sanggunian, 2025).

SOSE Sanggunian (2025, March 3). Heat Index Advisory #1 Forecast for March 3, 2025 Maghanda, Atenista! According to the Weather Channel, the maximum temperature forecast [Images attached] [Post]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/SOSESanggu/posts/pfbid04nVGLyirJhWJ4ApKeV8EfhweinKNXGPr2SF9VUuTgEDggzbxBfSjrTYUtZSjhMH8l?rdid=zD4lw4bKGqtI04lE#

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Department of Agriculture - Philippines. (2021, July 7). The 'OneDA' Reform Agenda: Key Strategies to Transforming Philippine Agriculture In pursuing an inclusive approach to accelerate the transformation of [Image attached] [Post]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=4101052979976111&set=a.521444324603679