Filipinos perform yearly summer rituals by bringing umbrellas, filling water bottles, and putting on sunscreen. Unfortunately, we do not have the clothes to complement our heat-battling techniques.

Among the familiar annual summer alerts of record-breaking temperatures, dangerous heat index reports, and reminders to stay hydrated, the clothing that thousands of people are required to wear everyday despite the weather makes all these warnings seem negligible.

Tradition, of course, has its place. Uniforms promote discipline, professionalism, and a sense of belonging. In schools, they also serve a practical purpose by making students easily identifiable, which can enhance safety on and off campus. But those objectives do not depend on thick fabrics or long sleeves. Identity can be preserved while improving comfort and safety.

Take the security guard standing outside the entrance of a school building—they stand outside for eight to twelve hours while wearing a long-sleeved shirt, thick trousers, and protective gear. Students would meanwhile either commute in crowded transportation spaces or walk distances under broad daylight. These are not slight inconveniences. They are public health concerns.

The human body cools itself through perspiration and air circulation. Heavy fabrics, multiple layers, and poorly ventilated clothing interfere with that process. The result can range from fatigue and dehydration to heat exhaustion and, in severe cases, heat stroke—a medical emergency that becomes more likely during prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures. Uniforms symbolize professionalism, discipline, and identity. But should these values come at the expense of health?

The issue becomes more alarming when professionals and institutions such as PAGASA keep warning us about the weather becoming more intense. Just 2 summers ago in 2024 when we had the worst heatwave in history, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that 242 million children in 85 countries, including the Philippines, were affected. 118 million of which were from the month of April alone. Even if most workplaces are airconditioned, we have to remember that it is not the case for most students in the Philippines.

In that same summer of 2024, The Department of Education reported that 2.4 million students from 4,769 schools across the country were affected by the harsh heat index. This should prompt a broader conversation on how we adapt to our climate, because clearly we are prone against our environment’s changes.

Climate resilience is often discussed in terms of infrastructure, flood control, renewable energy, or disaster preparedness. Those are essential investments. But the thing is, climate adaptation also means reconsidering the everyday policies that affect people's health—including the clothes they are required to wear.

The Frontman