Notwithstanding the widespread devastation of various weather disturbances attributed to the effects of climate change and inevitable repetition in years to come, the government and the public sector seem indifferent to the gravity of the situation. Although there are some movements coming out intent to do their share in fighting climate change within their immediate vicinity/community, such commendable acts seem isolated.
What is urgently needed will be a concerted, comprehensive action plan of the government which will marshal the national agencies in cooperation with all LGUs to start the immediate implementation of necessary corrective measures and/or possible engineering interventions particularly those areas hard-hit by the recent typhoons. However, the LGUs are in the best position to determine the areas under their responsibility which need such measures thereby limiting possible damage of any weather disturbance or natural calamities.
For instance, the provincial governments of Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Pangasinan know very well what should be done to at least minimize the destructive effects of future typhoons that may strike their provinces similar to "Pedring" and "Quiel". They should follow up the announcement of President Aquino during his visit to Bulacan, Pampanga and Tarlac that dredging of Pampanga Basin would be done. Considering that provincial governments have their own funds to use for public projects, they must initiate whatever engineering interventions necessary to avoid the widespread flooding brought by said typhoons.
So much to be done yet so niggardly is actually being accomplished in the fight against climate change which bodes ill to the places and residents prone to the visit from natural calamities, As a survivor of "Ondoy" which wrought the heaviest damage to our Provident Village in Marikina City, I feel sad and extremely worried that so little is being done to address the possible flooding of areas along the path of the Marikina River in the event of another strong typhoon.
The Marikina River is in dire need of dredging as the water level will overflow in case if several hours of heavy rains. Most probably the encroachment reported then as made by a developer at the Quezon City approach through which the Marikina River flows has been left untouched by the Marikina City government. Furthermore, even many of the residents of our village have not learned their lesson as they still allow garbage clogging the drainage system. Thus, after a few hours of heavy rains, many streets in the village become flooded and impassable to traffic.
The Marikina City plight as mentioned above is replicated in many municipalities and cities all over the Philippines where waterways are either clogged by silt and water hyacinth or the free flow of water is hampered by illegal structures. As such, with the state of apathy reigning in the government and the citizenry, the fight against climate change will not succeed and widespread floods of deluvian proportion may engulf the country causing tremendous damage to properties/infrastructures as well as numerous lives lost. May GOD bless, help the Philippines!
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