Marcos: PH needs ‘more dynamic assessment’ of weather systems

A resident rides an old refrigerator to avoid a flooded street caused by heavy rains from Tropical Storm Yagi, locally called Enteng, on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, in Cainta, Rizal province, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday stressed the need for a “more dynamic assessment” of weather systems that may hit the country.

Marcos said typhoons are developing faster and becoming more unpredictable and intense due to climate change.

“And that’s why we have to stay conscious of the weather systems that are developing that are now approaching the country. So kailangan natin (so we need)… We have to have a more dynamic assessment,” he said during a briefing.

“Hindi na ito ‘yung ‘set piece’ kung tawagin natin. Set piece na, okay, may bagyo, padadaanin natin, pasok tayo ganoon… Hindi na ‘yung ganoon, tapos balik na tayo, withdraw na tayo. Hindi na ganoon,” he added.

(This is no longer the “set piece” as we call it. It’s a set piece, okay, there’s a typhoon, we’ll let it pass before we go to work … It should no longer be like that, not anymore.)

He then called on the  Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) to serve as a “guide,” especially in monitoring weather patterns.

”I know that it’s becoming more and more difficult. Again, I’ve mentioned this before. But one phenomenon that we’ve noticed with climate change is how the weather systems developed much more quickly than they used to,” he said.

“So, we have to be a little more … dynamic in our analysis for this so that ma-maximize naman natin ang mga resources natin dahil lagi namang kulang ‘yan. So, we have to make the best of it. We have to make the most of what we have,” he added.

(So, we have to be a little more dynamic in our analysis for this so that we can maximize our resources because it is always lacking.)

According to Pagasa, aside from Enteng, two to three more typhoons are expected to hit the country in September.

Two to three typhoons are also expected in October, while one to two typhoons could hit in November and December.

READ: Marcos directs agencies to monitor dams, prepare for flooding

Marcos tells DSWD to continue buying relief goods

During the briefing, Marcos also directed the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to continue procuring relief goods despite ample supply in preparation for calamities that may hit the country.

“I think we’re all right in terms of supply of our relief goods that we can give. But we must continue the procurement because there is a very good chance that this is not going to be the last for this month. So, we have to prepare for that,” he said.

According to Marcos, the government must now be more proactive.

“It’s no longer one response for each. We have to also think of what is coming in the future [so] we are not caught shorthanded when the time comes that we have to provide the relief and assistance that will be necessary [when] weather systems come,” he said.

He also directed the DSWD to ensure that the victims of Enteng, especially those displaced, will be attended to.