On June 1, 2024, UPRI Executive Director Dr. Mahar Lagmay was invited to speak on behalf of the UPRI on the Ang Bumbero Sa Radyo’s ABP Hour about La Niña. It was explained how the yearly climate is usually predictable, with heavy rains starting in June. There are two phenomena known as El Niño and La Niña. In the Philippines, the El Niño is a period of high heat and drought followed by La Niña, a period of heavier rain. The La Niña brings heavier rain than is typical even for the rainy season. Climate Change causes even more extreme disturbances from these two events, the greater heat causes a hotter and drier El Niño which will lead to an even wetter and heavier La Niña, which will aggravate the damages these cause.
Screenshot of the Facebook Live video from ABP – Ang Bumbero ng Pilipinas’ Facebook page
According to PAGASA, the transition to La Niña has already begun for this year (2024). While this is important for feeding rivers and watering farms, it also brings floods and landslides when the rain is in excess. These floods and landslides are natural hazards that are expected to occur this year, due to the La Niña and climate change adding to the effects of the rainy season. The start of the school year being in August may add additional challenges to resilience, because the Students will be facing heavy rain and flooding at the start of the school year.
We are warned that we need to make adjustments in response to the changing climate. The increased rainfall is already here, so we must accommodate the additional hazards. There are no places in the Philippines that have not flooded, so everyone needs to be prepared for it.