Almost without sunflowers

The sunflower that typically blooms in time for the commencement exercises at the University of the Philippines Diliman is a symbol of every student's success in completing a degree. However, this year, the sunflowers stood on stilts, having been toppled by the intensified southwest monsoon just days before the graduation ceremony. This imagery reflects our country's precarious balance. Despite boasting about development and urbanization, we are unable to withstand the harsh effects of climate change.

We all witnessed torrential rains inundate Metro Manila and adjacent towns, transforming the area into what seemed like a vast swimming pool. Residents had to be rescued from their homes in small boats, accompanied by their pets. Cars floated in the flooded streets while rivers in the metro swelled beyond their banks. It appeared like a performance for each local government unit, with mayors showcasing their responses and hoping not to be forgotten next year.

I was disappointed when the president announced his preparation of billions in pesos for aid. My disbelief only grew when chief executives told the media that their waterways were becoming narrow due to clogging by rubbish. Was this realization only occurring now? This scenario served as a learning experience for Cebu City and neighboring areas. Though slowly, they began to realize that the best way to handle these increasingly common heavy rains is to ensure water has proper pathways or designated storage areas.

It's ironic that budgets allocate funds for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, yet many projects fail to materialize or are inadequately implemented. Merely purchasing equipment and conducting repetitive training is insufficient. The focus should shift to infrastructure projects capable of mitigating substantial rainfall --such as rainfall catchment systems and Gabion dams. If skyscrapers can be built so high, surely we can harness that height constructively. The crucial step now is for our leaders to heed expert advice and take decisive action on climate and disaster risk assessments.

Providing meals and financial aid are band-aid solutions to a persistent problem. We need comprehensive, long-term solutions. Our government must acknowledge the climate emergency we face, which threatens numerous lives if left unaddressed. It is imperative for local government units to revisit geohazard maps and implement stringent measures to protect vulnerable areas. What's urgently needed is political will to enforce environmental laws, comprehensive land use plans, and our national adaptation strategies. These documents were crafted with purpose --not as mere displays.

Just like the sunflowers, maybe our leaders need stilts to be able to rebuild again. These stilts are not merely declarations on their state of calamity to be able to access funds. Leaders should be well explained on what is to come for our environment. Unless they fully understand what is going on with our climate, they are unable to grasp the kind of action they should take. This should be done even in repetition until fully understood. I even thought the onslaught of Ondoy was already a lesson learned; it was just my underestimation.