Free water stations and cooling centers should be prepared by Philippine local governments to protect residents from extreme heat, Senator Risa Hontiveros said on October 27, 2026, as the country braces for a potentially severe El Niño.

Key Takeaways

  • Hontiveros proposed drinking fountains and refilling stations in crowded public places.
  • She also suggested using public buildings and private establishments as places to cool down.

Where free water stations could be installed

Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, urged local government units to coordinate with national agencies and the private sector to provide clean drinking water and safe places to rest.

She proposed drinking fountains and water-refilling stations in public markets, transport terminals and other crowded areas. The aim is to help prevent dehydration and heat stroke without adding to residents’ expenses.

The senator said government efforts should go beyond reporting heat index levels and include practical measures for coping with high temperatures.

Public and private spaces as cooling centers

Schools, libraries, museums and community centers could serve as cooling centers during extreme heat, Hontiveros suggested. She also called on malls and other private establishments to offer air-conditioned common areas where people could rest without having to make a purchase.

Hontiveros urged authorities to prepare facilities in advance and adapt their use to each community’s needs. Her proposals are a call for action, not an announcement that the facilities have been established.

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