Environment officials and experts in the Philippines have advised local governments to brace for strong storms and surging flood waters brought by the erratic La Nina weather phenomenon in the next few months, saying the signs point to a brutal rainy season. Wow, while writing this piece, it pours again and rains cats and downs here in Davao City... .
So let's expect the worst and be prepared the best we can. Here in the Philippines we will never forget the taifun "Ondoy" and many other mega storms in the past few years, which indeed had underlined the importance of disaster preparedness.
I wish and hope and pray (and not only me!) that the Philippino people and especially the local governments have now really realized that disasters and environment matters should no longer remain as abstract issues, as Neric Acosta, co-convenor of the La Nina Summit held at the Department of Agriculture stated several days ago in Manila.
La Nina is a weather phenomenon resulting from air-sea interaction that leads to colder ocean temperatures in the Pacific. We have to expect excessive monsoon rainfalls especially around September and October.
Isn't it hurting to read the comment of Philippine Climate Change Commission Chief Heherson Alvarez, saying the Philippines are not yet prepared for extreme weather brought by global warming!
Allow me to quote Acosta again: "If the United States has 911, we could set up a similar line!" Thanks God, in Davao City we have a 911!
