Christmas chill starts in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The Christmas chill has started to be felt in this city with temperatures dropping to 14 degrees Celsius during early morning and late afternoon until evening.

State meteorologist Danny Galate of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday they expected Baguio’s temperature to drop further to 12 or 11 degrees next week.

The weather bureau said temperature in this city and other areas in Benguet usually drop from October until February. The lowest temperature is usually recorded in January.

Pagasa recorded Baguio’s lowest temperature so far this year at 12.6 degrees Celsius on Oct. 27.

The coldest temperature recorded here was 6.3 degrees Celsius on Jan. 8, 1961.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) Cordillera Administrative Region reminded the pubic to be cautious of respiratory infection like cold and influenza.

DOH assistant regional director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan said 3,420 cases of influenza were recorded from January to November this year, a slight increase compared to the 3,212 cases recorded during the same period in 2012.

She advised the people to boost their immune system by having a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, having regular exercises, managing stress and living a healthy lifestyle.