Deped takes measures for possible heatstroke cases in Palaro

The Department of Education is taking extra precaution and implementing measures against possible heatstroke cases amid an expected sizzling hot temperature in the Palarong Pambansa slated May 6 to 12 in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

" We're implementing the same measure we've implemented before, which is to suspend games from early afternoon to late afternoon to combat the expected hot weather this summer," said Department of Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC, in yesterday's memorandum of understanding signing at their Pasig City office.

Luistro was referring to the break from 10 am to 2 pm or the same time when temperature is most hot, implemented in past editions of this annual multi-sports meet for elementary and high school students as an answer to heat stroke, which was prevalent during the summer season.

In fact, there were two deaths and hundreds of cases of heatstroke in the 2007 Palarong Pambansa staging in Koronadal, South Cotabato.

" Aside from these measures, we will also make sure that our student athletes will have regular medical checkups before and during the event," said Luistro.

Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino said he hopes their hosting would be a memorable and meaningful one.

"We hope this Palarong Pambansa edition in our province would be a bench mark for more Palarong Pambansa to come," he said.

The country's weather bureau, Pagasa, has recently urged the public to take measures against possible heatstroke as the temperature in the country could reach as high as 38 degrees Celsius in April.