Tacloban City employees have asked Mayor Alfred Romualdez to temporarily suspend the city government’s weekly flag-raising ceremony due to extreme heat amid the prevailing El Niño.
In an endorsement dated Oct. 5 and received by the City Mayor’s Office on Oct. 6, the Government Association of Tacloban Employees (GATE) said unusually high temperatures and prolonged heat could pose health and safety risks to city government employees and other personnel who are required to stay outdoors during the ceremony.
The request was coursed through City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Department Head Ildebrando Bernadas.
GATE, headed by Eden Benusa-Reyes, said the temporary suspension of the flag-raising ceremony would protect government employees’ health and well-being, while allowing them to do their duties at the start of the workweek.
‘The unusually high temperatures and prolonged heat conditions may pose health and safety concerns,’ the employees’ group said in its letter.
The group acknowledged the flag-raising ceremony’s importance as a symbol of patriotism, unity, and commitment to public service.
However, it asked the city government to consider suspending the ceremony during periods of extreme heat or until weather conditions are better.
GATE also suggested that the city government consider alternative ways to observe the ceremony should the mayor find it appropriate.
The request comes as local government units across Eastern Visayas prepare for the possible effects of El Niño, which has raised concerns over prolonged dry conditions, water availability, agricultural losses and heat-related health risks.
The Department of Science and Technology in Eastern Visayas earlier warned of dry spell conditions in parts of Leyte and Northern Samar, with the possibility of drought as El Niño persists.