PNP orders heat safeguards as Super El Niño intensifies

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Tuesday ordered commanders to strengthen heat-safety measures and adjust field deployments as the country braces for hotter conditions linked to Super El Niño.

Nartatez said police units should review deployment plans, consider rotational shifts and limit prolonged exposure to extreme heat, particularly for personnel assigned to patrol, traffic management, security and public assistance duties.

“Protecting our police personnel from extreme heat is not only a matter of their health, it is also a matter of operational readiness,” Nartatez said.

Police commanders were also directed to ensure access to drinking water and appropriate protective gear, while adjusting working hours and field assignments based on prevailing weather conditions.

“Extreme heat can affect an officer’s health, alertness, and ability to respond effectively. We must not wait for heat-related incidents to happen before taking action,” Nartatez said.

The Philippines is preparing for warmer conditions associated with Super El Niño, with heat indices in some urban areas, including Metro Manila, potentially reaching dangerous levels.

Warmer temperatures are expected across much of the country from October 2026 to March 2027, with the effects of El Niño projected to intensify late this year and persist into early 2027.

“A police force that is protected, prepared, and fit for duty is better equipped to protect our communities,” Nartatez said.