Natural Disasters and Corruption Devastate the Philippines
Houses submerged in the Northern Philippines after Typhoon Fung-Wong. Photo: AP News
The Philippines is renowned for its picturesque landscape – one that is slowly being ravaged by natural disasters and climate change. In the past year alone, the Philippines has suffered from different earthquakes and typhoons, which have devastated local populations. In November, Typhoon Kalmaegi forced hundreds to leave their homes and killed hundreds more through intense flooding. Although the Philippine government has extended support to the residents impacted, corruption has prevented the Filipino people from being properly protected.
In late September, the central area of the Philippines was struck by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake, resulting in approximately 70 deaths and 300 injuries near Bogo City in the Northern province of Cebu. The city itself was designed by a charity to be prepared to handle strong winds but the tremor was devastating, the deadliest earthquake for the country since 2013. The earthquake impaired hundreds of homes, roads, buildings such as hospitals, and bridges, displacing almost 200,000 people. With significant damage done to the region’s infrastructure, it was increasingly difficult for people to take shelter and receive treatment from potential injuries.
Earlier in November, a deadly typhoon crossed the coast and entered the Philippines. Typhoon Kalmaegi – locally referred to as Typhoon Tino – brought 80 mph winds and took the lives of almost one hundred citizens with it. Around 85 people have been reported dead, dozens missing, many others injured, and over 400,000 people displaced. The destruction has been catastrophic for the victims, mostly located in the middle of the nation. Although Typhoon Kalmaegi has moved west, heading for neighboring Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines remains in imminent danger.
As bodies continue to be recovered, streets remain flooded, and buildings fall further apart, another typhoon has struck the Philippines. On Monday, Typhoon Fung-Wong reached the Northern Philippines with winds of 115 mph. Over one million people evacuated the area but around 18 people died at the hands of the flooding, landslides, and power outages. Aside from the earthquake, two different typhoons blew through the islands in September. The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone in the entire Southeast Asian region, hit by an average of 20 storms and typhoons each year. The country’s location on the Pacific Rim of Fire makes it especially prone to earthquakes and it is home to over a dozen active volcanoes. As climate change worsens, the Philippines may become increasingly undefended in the face of geophysical events.
Evacuation center filled with tents for citizens in preparation for Typhoon Fung-Wong. Photo: AP News
The Philippine government is faced with the immense task of helping citizens recover and understanding how to prevent future ruin as the country becomes more vulnerable to climate-related disasters. After the September earthquake, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. promised to assist those affected. The government provided Cebu with tents as a temporary replacement for the broken infrastructure, assuring citizens that they would be given food, water, and any other necessities. Following Typhoon Kalmaegi, the Office of Civil Defense sent rescuers to clear excess debris and evacuate residents while four aircrafts from the Philippine Air Force were sent out to the central Philippines. Additionally, Marcos has declared a state of emergency after Kalmaegi while bracing for Typhoon Fung-Wong.
Though Marcos’ administration has made considerable efforts to step in amid tragedy for the Filipino people, his leadership has faced notable criticism. Earlier this year, incomplete and inefficient flood control systems enraged residents, leading to demonstrations. Manila, the country’s capital city, was filled with protesters in late September, taking issue with the misappropriation of one trillion pesos (equivalent to $17.6 billion) in the local currency. The funds had been allocated for flood relief projects and were discovered to be embezzled months prior. In response, President Marcos has established an independent commission with the scope to further investigate the embezzlement, claiming that he shared the anger of the protestors.
Hundreds of bodies have been found and thousands of lives have been significantly altered. Due to the Philippines’ vulnerable location, and the growing impact of climate change, the typhoons are projected to continue. While the natural disasters themselves cannot be prevented, the government can alleviate suffering by creating reliable systems that target flooding and provide valuable supplies. Though Marcos has given aid to the casualties in various ways, previous incidents within the government have decreased public trust in the administration. Through the cracks in the ground from the earth tremors and the eradication brought about by tropical cyclones, the corruption present in the Philippine government has come further to light.
Tags: The Philippines | Typhoon | Corruption | Southeast Asia