DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino signed Labor Advisory 19, Series of 2026, setting guidelines to document, report, and compensate heat-related workplace illnesses during El Niño.
The rules cover indoor and outdoor ECP-covered workers, allowing claims for heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat rash, rhabdomyolysis, dehydration-led kidney injury, and neurological disorders.
Employers must maintain records of heat exposure and safety measures, submit required illness reports, and assist affected workers or beneficiaries in filing ECP compensation claims.
THE Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) has set guidelines for preventing, documenting and reporting heat-related illnesses at work, and for determining when affected workers may qualify for compensation.
Dole Secretary Francis Tolentino signed Labor Advisory 19, Series of 2026, on Oct. 23 in response to the health and safety risks posed by the El Niño phenomenon and other periods of extreme heat.
The guidelines are in line with a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to protect Filipino workers amid climate-related challenges.
“Through the guidelines, Dole seeks to strengthen awareness of occupational heat-related risks and help ensure that affected workers receive appropriate assistance in documenting and pursuing possible compensation claims during El Niño and other periods of extreme heat,” Dole said.
El Niño in Cebu
In Cebu, the province is experiencing the effects of a strong to very strong El Niño, with drier conditions expected in the coming months.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Visayas earlier said Cebu may experience below-normal to way-below-normal rainfall from November 2026 to March 2027, while drought conditions may develop from January to March.
The dry conditions could persist until June 2027, depending on how El Niño develops.
Who is covered
The guidelines apply to outdoor and indoor workers who are covered by the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP) through the Social Security System and the Government Service Insurance System, and who are exposed, or may reasonably be expected to be exposed, to excessive heat at work.
Heat stroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion remain compensable under existing ECP rules.
Other heat-related illnesses may also qualify, including heat syncope (fainting and dizziness), heat rash (bungang araw), rhabdomyolysis (muscle damage), neurological disorders that affect normal nervous system function and dehydration that leads to kidney injury.
Proving the link
To determine whether an illness is work-related, authorities may consider the nature of the worker’s job, workplace conditions, duration and intensity of heat exposure, protective clothing and equipment, preventive measures and other relevant circumstances.
Pagasa’s heat index classifications may be used as supporting evidence of workplace heat conditions.
Employer duties
Dole requires employers to keep records of work-related heat illnesses and to help affected workers or their beneficiaries file compensation claims.
Records that may support a claim include occupational safety and health documents, workplace temperature measurements, work schedules, physical workload and work-rest arrangements, preventive measures and witness statements.
Employers must also follow existing reporting rules, including submitting a Work Accident/Illness Report when required.
The Employees’ Compensation Commission, through its Regional Extension Units, and Dole regional offices and attached agencies will provide technical assistance in implementing the guidelines.
Employers, workers, unions, safety and health committees, and occupational safety and health personnel are encouraged to strengthen measures against heat-related illnesses, report incidents and arrange medical referrals. / DPC