The need to prepare for La Niña

When Typhoon Carina inundated Metro Manila and nearby provinces with floods, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was utterly dismayed. Social media was abuzz with memes suggesting that nature was fact-checking the President after he stated during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) that over 5,000 flood control projects were currently under construction across the country.

The President's dismay is understandable, as a Senate committee hearing on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget for fiscal year 2024 revealed that the agency's budget to address flooding would amount to at least P1 billion per day. Senator Joel Villanueva revealed that the country spent PHP1.079 billion daily on flood control projects in 2023. This year, the government's flood control funding is now at PHP1.35 billion per day.

Given the enormous budget, there seems to be no reason for Metro Manila and nearby provinces to experience such severe flooding as seen with Typhoon Carina. Many Filipinos were surprised by the amount spent on flood control projects, and now that this information is public, there are heightened expectations for significant improvements, especially in flood-prone areas.

Typhoon Carina has caused massive destruction. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the number of people affected has reached 4.8 million, with 48 deaths. This makes Typhoon Carina the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines in recent years, surpassing Typhoon Karding in 2022, which affected 1.4 million people.

Typhoon Carina also brought more rainfall compared to Ondoy. PAGASA reported that the typhoon-enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) dumped 471 millimeters of rainfall, compared to 455 millimeters during Ondoy. This resulted in the submersion of many parts of Metro Manila, the stranding of people, and the flotation of cars on flooded streets.

The failure to prepare for the rainy season was a significant factor. Typhoons would intensify the "habagat", according to our weather bureau's forecast. Last June, a barge damaged the floodgate in Navotas, a flood-prone area, aggravating the situation. The floodgate is crucial as it prevents seawater from entering communities during high tide. Typhoon Carina severely flooded Navotas and its neighboring cities.

Given the expectation that more typhoons will enter the country's area of responsibility, immediate repair of the damaged floodgate is essential to prevent future flooding.

The flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces is also attributed to reclamation projects in Manila Bay, according to authorities. Typhoon Carina's flooding prompted a Senate hearing. The Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) stated that “reclamation projects will slow down the flow of water and change the circulation and retention of pollutants and organic materials in the bay.”

People have long claimed that reclamation projects in the Manila Bay area cause flooding. The National Capital Region alone has reclaimed a total of 2,576 hectares of Manila Bay's coast. President Bongbong Marcos suspended 22 reclamation projects in Manila Bay in 2023. If these projects continue, we can expect more flooding in our communities.

Senator Cynthia Villar has opposed reclamation activities in Manila Bay, particularly those affecting Las Piñas City. She wants these activities stopped because they prevent rivers from flowing to the sea.

PAGASA has issued a La Niña Alert, stating a 70 percent chance of La Niña occurring from August to October and persisting until the first quarter of 2025. Typhoon Carina may be the beginning of this phenomenon, with stronger typhoons expected in the coming months. Researchers have linked climate change to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including typhoons.

We must be prepared for extreme weather conditions. The state of infrastructure and disaster preparedness in affected areas plays a significant role. Inadequate flood control measures, such as insufficient drainage system desilting, can exacerbate flooding's impact.

President Marcos has urged the government to develop a comprehensive national flood control plan covering several regions. Previous administrations neglected to consider the urgency of this long-overdue task. The President has called on different agencies and experts to consider climate change in drawing up the plan. Places that were flood-free before are flooding due to rising sea levels, rendering existing dikes insufficient to protect communities.

We should combine infrastructure preparation with environmental conservation and protection efforts. We should take care of our forests and promote land-use practices that improve the land's natural ability to absorb rainwater. Unabated deforestation has resulted in soil erosion reducing the land's ability to hold water while increasing surface runoff and flood risks.

Schools should continue educating students on the importance of environmental conservation and the risks of climate change. The recent super typhoons and extreme heat have led to significant environmental changes. Awareness, especially among the younger generation, will prepare them to mitigate the impact of climate change.

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in the foregoing article are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) or any other office under the Presidential Communications Office.