My Point of View: Is Climate Change a man-made or natural disaster?

 

Typhoon "Paeng" flattened into ground zero the Kusiong, Datu Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, 29 Oct. 2022.  © BIO| M. Ibrahim/ UNHCR.

 

By Jun Enriquez (President, Manggagawang Media ng Mindanao – MMM)

 

The unexpected tragedy of sever tropical storm Nalgae (local name “Paeng”) is very worrying because it was the first time people in Maguindanao and Cotabato areas experienced such a worst kind of disaster due to continued heavy rains in few days’ time prior to the typhoon Paeng smashed on October 29. According to government reports, there were more than 2,000,000 people affected by STS Nalgae and at least 863,000 people are seeking temporary shelter inside 2,801 evacuation centers or with their friends and family. Government record at least 121 people died, with 103 persons injured and 36 others are still missing. Information gathered, the awareness setting of the people was about “tsunami” but the actual scenario was mudslide, especially in Kusiong, Datu Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, was badly buried in the mud. There are at least 20 typhoons to strike in the Philippines yearly that brings disaster to people’s lives and properties, an impact of climate change.

Climate change was already discussed in my previous article but we will not stop collecting information to look at how to address the causes of climate change that results to disaster as its effects. In layman’s understanding, climate change is the result of extreme heat due to excessive emissions of carbon gases, CO2, because of the excessive use of fossil fuel in the modern industrial age makes warming environment makes faster evaporation of having more moisture form clouds. This creates high pressure pushes down and compressed hot air. More heat from the sun gets more evaporation of vapor produces heavy rains that will develop into typhoon.

The question now underlies the scenario, is climate change a man-made or natural disaster? Based on the preceding information, climate change is a man-made disaster. It simply explain the root causes of who produces more carbon gas emissions more heat, more usage of fossil fuels causes the rising of temperature in a hot environment, melts the ice in the north cause another scenario of disaster like what happened in Pakistan early this year that 1/3 of the country submerged in water due to the melting of ice.

If climate change will not be addressed, the next generations will be suffering and going back to the history of Noah’s age. Advance countries are more responsible of climate change because of the modern industrial age using fossil fuels and release more carbon gas emissions. Deforestation also one of the contributory factors of climate change because less forest reserves will absorb lesser carbon gas and release less oxygen gas naturally.  

Based on scientific study on global warming, global temperature will have a limit to 1.5 C based on the prevailing atmospheric temperature as a prevention of rising global warming. However, temperature in the Philippines goes beyond the limit at 1.98 C. Philippine government should take focus to overcome global warming in the country and mitigate climate change.

Again, in layman’s understanding, to mitigate climate change in the landscapes is to restore, protect and preserve forest reserves and conservations through the strict implementation of environmental laws to fully stop illegal logging, regulate slash and burn, stop illegal mining, among others. All these illegal activities in the landscapes are considered to be the means of livelihood and economic activities. Best, the government should introduce alternative livelihood activities for economic development, especially in agriculture development and plant more trees.

The government must develop environment-friendly technology such as the Bamboo engineering industry as an alternative of wood industry for housing, buildings and other infrastructure. Bamboo is considered one of the tallest grasses in the world will helps more to mitigate climate change. There was already available Filipino technology on Bamboo industry locally owned and managed by experts Environmental Engineers based in Iligan City, the industrial city of the southern Philippines.

In this perspective, the government will be in the right direction in mitigating climate change. Having more trees will safely absorb more carbon gases and produce more oxygen gases to save nature.   

In another environmental study on seascapes, sea grasses will emit 35 percent more oxygen than the trees in the forests. Seascapes should be protected from water pollution and restore its habitation environment for the preservation of marine life. Having more emissions of oxygen will lower down global warming temperature and this will mitigate climate change. The fisherfolks community must be trained and educate of their responsibilities and strict implementation of fishery laws for the protection and preservation of the seascapes and avoid illegal fishing.   

In my point of view, it is best for the government to provide enough budgetary requirement on climate change actions from preventions to response before and after disaster. Climate change actions must be a priority in government programs on proactive measures, preparation and quick response to save lives. It is the primary responsibility of the government not to allow its people become collateral damage may be because of non-sensitivity on climate change. Government perspective should change its course in dealing with climate change seriously.

Documentary report: Disastrous STS Nalgae (Local name “Paeng”) left devastations in seventeen regions in the Phils

 

Photo taken on 29 October 2022 in Brgy. Kusiong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte  

buried in mud and rocks due to landslides caused by torrential rains."

© BIO| M. Ibrahim/ UNHCR

 By Jun Enriquez (President, Manggagawang Media ng Mindanaw - MMM)

Iligan City, Philippines - More than 2,000,000 people affected by severe tropical storm (STS) Nalgae (locally named Paeng) that made initial landfall in Catanduanes, Bicol region, on 29 October. All seventeen regions were affected by strong winds and heavy rains which has resulted in landslides and over 554 flooding incidents in various areas across the country, although half of which have subsided by now. According to government reports, at least 863,000 people are seeking temporary shelter inside 2,801 evacuation centers or with their friends and family.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in its latest report have had recorded at least 121 people died, with 103 persons injured and 36 others are still missing.  At least 3.1 million individuals or 927,800 families affected by typhoon Paeng. A total of 11,294 houses were damaged, aggregated to 9,190 partially damaged and 2,104 totally damaged. The Department of Agriculture reported damaged to agriculture was estimated at least P1.3 billion and P3.4 billion for infrastructure.

Some 41 cities and municipalities in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Region 5 and Region 8 had communication problems, but only six regions have been restored according to the NDRRMC report. During the tragedy, out of the 119 airports and seaports affected, only around 23% have resumed their operations. Lifeline services (power, water, telecommunications) affected are currently being restored with the support of the private sector.

Prior to exiting the landmass, Nalgae made five landfalls: (1) Virac, Catanduanes, (2) Caramoan, Camarines Sur, (3) Buenavista, Quezon, (4) Santa Cruz, Marinduque and (5) San Juan, Batangas. While over the West Philippine Sea, the storm re-intensified into a severe tropical storm and leaving the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on October 31.

STS Nalgae (locally named Paeng) has brought heavy rains and strong winds most severe in Regions 5, 6, 8, 12 and BARMM, over 557,000 are affected in BARMM only. At least 170,000 people are taking temporary shelter in and outside evacuation centers. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has reported that the storm left at least 45 people dead, injured 33 with 14 missing, due to flash floods and landslides. All numbers are expected to increase. Nalgae is the 16th tropical cyclone to form in the Philippines this season and has made five landfalls:

On 02 November 2022, President Marcos Jr. declared the four (4) regions hit the hardest by typhoon Nalgae under a state of calamity. These regions include Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Based on initial monitoring, several cities and municipalities in Mindanao were also reported to have issued resolutions declaring their areas under the state of calamity due to devastation brought by the typhoon.

The NDRRMC has been on Red Alert status since 27 October and has held several operational briefings prior to Nalgae's landfall on 29 October. As of 31 October, 158 local governments, including 1 region (BARMM) and three provinces (Aklan, Albay, Maguindanao) have already declared state of calamity, to utilize available resources of the government, the calamity fund for disaster response. Over US$877,000 (PHP 51 million) worth of humanitarian assistance has been provided to affected communities by government and humanitarian partners.

On 29 October, BARMM has declared a region-wide state of calamity due to STS Nalgae, directing all ministries and other government agencies to implement and execute search and rescue, medical assistance, relief and rehabilitation work in line with plans and directives. The Bangsamoro Regional Risk Reduction and Management Council had activated its Emergency Operations Center. RDRRRMC also activated Incident Command Post (ICP) in area considered as ground zero in Kushiong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. 

Damaged houses & roads in Kusiong, Maguindanao

 

According to the Bangsamoro Interior and Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo, the flooding resulted in the contamination of sources of potable water and cut off the power supply in many areas in Maguindanao del Norte. The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) of BARMM has activated the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) and food and non-food clusters. Education cluster led by the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) was also activated.

The Humanitarian partners’ preparedness activities and coordination with the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), under the leadership of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC), is closely monitoring the situation and is on stand-by to support government response through the clusters, should there be a need. The RC/HC wrote to the national government and BARMM authorities, expressing solidarity and offering the support of the HCT. The HCT Clusters are reaching out to their government counterparts for possible support. On 29 October 2022, a WASH Cluster meeting was convened by the Department of Health and UNICEF during which rapid assessment and initial response plans were formulated. Preliminary assessment results have since been shared mostly for affected provinces outside BARMM and Region XII, indicating minimal impact on WASH but with the possible contamination of water sources from the flooding. Through preparedness and rapid response programmes, such as REACH and the Humanitarian Partnership Platform Philippines (HPP), the distribution of WASH supplies (water containers, water disinfection materials, hygiene & dignity kits) has been initiated, mostly in Maguindanao and Cotabato City.

The Logistics cluster received a request by the government and WFP is transporting 43 trucks with more than 60,000 family food packs to Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. IOM, CCCM cluster lead, has prepositioned shelter tarps and is ready to support those in need. The Education Cluster lead by UNICEF and Save the Children is likewise working with the Department of Education on how to support learners once classes resume.

The OCHA Philippines together with the Mindanao Humanitarian Team (MHT) and BARMM government partners is conducting on 30-31 October, a Joint Rapid Needs Assessment in the most affected areas of BARMM. Based on the initial assessments results, food, clean water and hygiene kits are the most urgent needs by the flooded communities, however the response seems to be well within capacity of the regional government, with possible augmentation of national authorities if needed. MHT clusters were invited by the BARMM authorities to support with existing resources and capacities and have been integrated in activated BARMM clusters as co-leads participated by 30 organizations for the consolidation of needs assessment for effective response. (Source: UNOCHA, UNHCR)

PAGASA Press briefing, 29 Oct 2022