Manila, May 7 -- Senator Mark Villar on Tuesday highlighted the need for local government units (LGUs) to implement preventive measures to protect workers from excessive heat amid heat-induced accidents and deaths among construction workers and traffic enforcers.

"I am urging our LGUs to look into how they could provide additional aid to our construction workers and enforcers to minimize their exposure to the heat," Villar said in a statement.

The lawmaker issued the statement after the Department of Health reported 77 heat-related illnesses and seven deaths since January due to the abnormally high heat index.

Villar cited in particular the need for adjustments in working hours, work attire, and rotational shifts to minimize workers' e...