By Gabriela Baron
The Philippines is expected to experience extreme heat and intense typhoons if climate change worsens, according to a Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) scientist.
In the Laging Handa public briefing on April 30, PAGASA scientist Marcelo Villafuerte said the average temperature in the country rose by about 0.68 degrees in the past 65 years or 0.1 degree every decade.
“Ang kaakibat po ng patuloy na pagtaas nito ng ating temperatura, nagiging madalas ang pagkaranas natin ng extreme events. Halimbawa po, ‘yung mataas na temperature tuwing tag-init, partikular na talagang maiinit katulad po, halimbawa ng Dagupan, ng Cabanatuan, sa Cagayan Valley at sa iba pang lugar,” Villafuerte said.
“Nakaranas din po ng dagliang malakas na ulan na nagdudulot naman ng pagbaha. ‘Yun po ‘yung mga ilan sa mga epekto po ng mataas na temperatura na ito,” he added.
Villafuerte said the rising temperature also causes intense typhoons, heavy rains and floods, long drought, lack of water, and sea level rise.
He added that about six to eight tropical cyclones will enter the country in the next six months.
Citing a 2019 study, Villafuerte said that some Metro Manila cities and nearby areas could be submerged by 2050 due to the worsening climate crisis.
“‘Yung coastal areas, katulad halimbawa ng reclaimed areas natin sa Manila Bay, ‘yung coastal communities ng Las Piñas, and then sa Cavite, sa Manila, sa Valenzuela, Navotas, at ilang coastal communities din sa Bulacan,” he added. – ngs
