In the Philippines, continuous light rain can often cause roads to become congested and slow down traffic. However, heavy rain that occurs at the wrong time, such as during high tide when urban drainage systems are least effective, can lead to severe flooding even on major thoroughfares like Edsa in Metro Manila. Recently, Edsa was rendered impassable for several hours due to floods that were much deeper than expected, causing even the bravest drivers to avoid the area. Just a few days earlier, the capital and its surrounding areas were covered in smog, which was attributed to thermal inversion trapping vehicle emissions close to the ground. This smog had similar effects to rain-induced flooding, disrupting daily life and leading to office closures and school cancellations. These incidents highlight the growing impact of environmental changes on the lives of Filipinos, with heavy rains, flooding, polluted air, and dirty water becoming more common disruptions. Scientists warn that this problem will only worsen in the future. Therefore, it is crucial for public and private sector leaders to collaborate and develop a comprehensive plan to make the Philippines more resilient to climate change and prevent further degradation caused by human activity. However, this effort cannot be solely led by the government or the private sector alone. It requires the involvement and resources of all stakeholders, including the state, private enterprises, and the general public. Importantly, all stakeholders must overcome their suspicions and antagonism towards each other and work together for a common goal. One leader who exemplifies this approach is Secretary Ma. Antonio Yulo-Loyzaga of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Loyzaga, an environmentalist and scientist, applies a science-based approach to differentiate between environmentally responsible and harmful corporate practices. She allows compliant mining companies to operate without interference while cracking down on those who do not follow regulations. Moving forward, policymakers at the national and local levels should adopt a similar open and proactive mindset when designing climate-resilient infrastructure. Roads and highways, whether developed by the government or private sector, should be designed with the changing environment in mind and built to withstand unfavorable weather conditions. Corruption must be eliminated to ensure that infrastructure projects are not of subpar quality and susceptible to environmental factors. Emotion-based appeals should not derail or halt infrastructure projects that are essential for the country’s economic progress. Currently, the Philippines’ public infrastructure is outdated and deteriorating in certain areas. The mass transit system is inadequate for the growing population and economy, forcing many commuters to rely on roads. This leads to frequent flooding, technical issues at airports, and unsafe sea transport systems. To address these issues, President Marcos should convene a multisectoral group comprising government officials, private sector representatives, and advocacy groups to develop a comprehensive policy that benefits everyone. Otherwise, Filipinos will continue to put their lives on hold whenever nature acts up.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
