MM sizzling, but not from coup rumors

What’s the hottest news to hit Metro Manila? No, it’s not all the ‘hot’ coup rumors or the heated exchanges between accusers and accused.

It’s the weather, actually.

Government meteorologists recorded a maximum temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or 99.50 degrees Fahrenheit at the PAGASA Science Garden in Diliman, Quezon City at 1:45 p.m. yesterday.

"This is the highest temperature recorded so far this year," said Venus Baldemoro, officer-in-charge of Public Information and International Affairs Staff (PIIAS) of the PAG-ASA, or Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

According to Baldemoro, it is safe to say that the temperature can still go up considering much higher temperatures have been recorded in the past, particularly during the years when the country experienced the El Niño phenomenon.

Baldemoro said a record-high temperature of 38.5 degrees Celsius was recorded on May 14, 1987, followed by 38.0 degrees Celsius on June 2, 1993 and April 25, 1998.

According to the PIIAS officer, the high temperature recorded on June 2, 1993 was really unusual as this was also the year when a record high of 33 cyclones entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

The year 1998, on the other hand, was an El Niño year and the high temperature was almost expected to occur.

Meanwhile, the country continues to experience mild El Niño phenomenon characterized by the persistent warming of the Central Equatorial Pacific.

"There are already unconfirmed reports that the current mild El Niño had caused in damage to agriculture in some parts of the country like Isabela, Cagayan, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Aurora in Luzon; Biliran, Palawan, Bohol, Negros Oriental and some areas in Central Visayas; some parts of Mindanao like Bukidnon, Davao del Sur and Sarangani," Baldemoro told The STAR.

Government authorities, however, have yet to determine the impact of the mild El Niño on agriculture, water resources, hydropower generation, health and sanitation and other sectors, Baldemoro said.