STRANDED commuters, long queues in public transport stations, students wading in flood waters, stalled cars, highways and streets inundated by flood waters, bancas in streets as a mode of transportation — this has become a usual scenario as the new normal weather events bring voluminous rains, causing floods of various levels in many parts of the country.
Torrential rains and the resulting floods not only affect the poor people and the working middle class; it also affects businesses, schools, government offices, trade industry and stock market; it affects the farmers whose crops are washed away by floods; and fisherfolk who would not be able to scour the seas for a bountiful catch due to the harsh weather.
Statistics on natural disasters show that, except for the July 1990 earthquake, the most devastating natural disaster in the Philippines in terms of economic damages are mostly due to storms and floods.
In 2013, the single deadliest disaster in the world was super typhoon “Yolanda”, which left over 6,000 dead and many more missing in the Philippines.
Year after year, the Philippines experiences natural disasters due to tropical cyclones, with economic damages worth several billions of pesos. We take note that our government has taken steps to adapt to the new norm. A World Bank study revealed that the Philippines has increased its budget by 26 percent in climate change adaptation programs. However, we need to review how we are using these funds. Certainly, the bulk is used to address flooding, repair, and rehabilitation of infrastructure and sector support – all reactive responses.
While it is very important that we repair damages on our infrastructure after each typhoon, we have to realize that there could be a better way of responding to the new norm we face today. We need to invest in building more resilient communities and infrastructure. Higher standards for flood control and drainage systems should be enforced. Rainwater catchment facilities and flood monitoring and warning systems need to be installed. We have numerous laws, including the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which need to be strictly enforced.
The new norm is a big threat to our basic human rights — food, potable water, shelter, decent livelihood and life itself. And we are not the only country that is facing this great challenge. No matter where we are in the world, the warming climate affects us all. We can only do so much to save the world, but we can give our best to save our home, our country.
