BAGONG Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy on Wednesday recommended suspending earthquake and fire drills in every school due to the soaring heat index.

The solon said the heat index will further rise this April until May and June because of the El Niño phenomenon.

The lawmaker stressed a higher awareness level is needed for the public to avoid heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and other effects of soaring heat index levels.

However, Herrera-Dy said the health of barangay workers and other government agencies tasked to lead drills should be prioritized since they also experience heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

The lawmaker also reminded school principals and administrators that students should not be directly exposed to the sun.

She also recommended that activities for Physical Education, the National Service Training Program, and other exercises be made indoors.

The lawmaker, at the same time, called on the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Education to study the possibility of moving the school calendar from June to February for K to 12.

Meanwhile, on-the-job training, internship, and work immersion should be scheduled from March to May.