New normal, new solutions

Typhoon Marce (international name Yinxing) has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and is projected to follow a similar path as Typhoons Leon (Kong-Rey) and Kristine (Trami).

- JOE ZALDARRIAGA

The state weather bureau, PAGASA, advises residents along Marce's potential path to prepare in advance, as the typhoon's windfield may bring strong gusts and heavy rainfall.

Although the country is no stranger to typhoons, this increased frequency of severe weather events, such as storms bringing torrential rains and gusty winds, may well be the new normal, brought about by climate change. This reality serves as a stark reminder of the need to recalibrate disaster preparedness and response protocols to better withstand the new threats that come with it.

Data from the 2023 Disaster Risk Index of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) indicates that the Philippines is the most vulnerable to natural disasters—a position that highlights the pressing need to make communities more adaptive and resilient to the impact of climate change. According to estimates by the ADB, the Philippines can incur up to P177 billion in losses per year due to typhoons and earthquakes.