Climate change has forever altered the Philippines’ tropical and maritime climate, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Monday, Aug. 7, as he assured that his administration is already working on critical flood control projects to stop massive destructions after calamities.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. presides over a situation briefing with the local government officials and different agencies in Malolos City on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)

The projects, he explained, are being undertaken to mitigate the impact of massive flooding on communities as the effects of climate change have become more evident with each passing calamity.

However, Marcos also underscored the need for the national government and local government units to work hand-in-hand for these projects to come to fruition.

“Isa sa pinakamahirap na ipaliwanag dahil napakahirap, napakasakit pakinggan ay ito na, ganito na talaga ito. Hindi tayo babalik. Dahil sa climate change, hindi na talaga tayo babalik sa dati (One of the hardest to explain because it’s very hard, very painful to hear is this, we’re like this from now on. We’re not going back. Because of climate change, we’re never going back to before),” Marcos said.

The Chief Executive added that even categorizing the country’s climate into wet and dry seasons might not even be applicable anymore because of climate change.

Citing the construction of water impounding stations in Candaba, Pampanga to control floodwaters from going downstream, a proposal made also by Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando during the situation briefing in Malolos City, the President lauded the coordination between the national and local levels.

“Mabuti naman at mukha naming nagkakaunawaan both at the local level at saka sa national level tungkol sa maaring gawin na proyekto para hindi na sana maulit ito, kung matapos natin ‘yung mga proposal na ganun (It’s good that there is understanding both at the local level and national level about the projects we could do so this will not happen again, if we can finish those proposals),” he stressed.

The President also noted how the government needs to do “many things” to address the impact of climate change.

“Epekto ng climate change. Talagang kailangan natin pag-aralan at maunawaan kung ano ‘yung maaari natin gawin, dahil mahirap labanan ‘yung weather (Effect of climate change. We really need to study and understand what will happen to us, because it’s hard to fight against the weather),” he added.

Marcos presided over a briefing on the most recent situation in Bulacan province that suffered heavy flooding brought about by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoons Egay and Falcon.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), which Fernando chairs, reported that 100 percent or 24 cities and municipalities were affected by the recent typhoons.

The governor called for long-term solutions for the decades-long flooding in the province and proposed for the creation of a flood management master plan, construction of elevated bypass roads and massive dredging of internal waterways.

Aside from presiding over the briefing, the Chief Executive also personally handed over financial and food assistance to flood victims in Pampanga and Bulacan.