When Nature Strikes and Leaders Falter

I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact of climate change on the fishing communities we’ve been working with since last year. In some weeks, we encounter multiple typhoons—a phenomenon that was rare in the past. These extreme weather events severely affect the livelihoods of our partner communities. Sometimes, fishermen are unable to work for a week or even longer. Landslides, often caused by mining and other environmental degradation, can further delay fishing activities, as it takes days for the waters to clear before they can resume their work.

A few weeks ago, I was catching up with another partner fishing community that practices hybrid fishing—both mariculture and wild-caught fish.Even with this diversification, they were still heavily affected by a recent typhoon. They shared that they were forced to harvest their farmed fish earlier than planned, selling them at a much lower price due to their smaller size and immature weight. The storm robbed them of both income and stability.

These extreme weather events are only becoming more intense. In recent months, our country has experienced multiple earthquakes, typhoons, and even volcanic eruptions. It’s no surprise that for the past 17 years, the Philippines has consistently ranked at the top of the World Risk Index. Yet, it’s a shame that this reality barely registers in our collective consciousness. It rarely makes headlines, and even when it does, meaningful action or long-term solutions remain scarce. Too often, disasters pass, but the lessons and reforms needed to prevent or mitigate the next one are forgotten.

What makes matters worse is the excessive corruption in our government. Watching these crises unfold from afar leaves me feeling hopeless and exhausted. In the past, I was more involved in disaster preparedness, relief, and rehabilitation. That experience motivated me to launch community disaster preparedness training—a legacy I’m proud to have contributed to through my work with an NGO.

This should serve as a wake-up call for Filipinos: we need to be more diligent in choosing leaders who genuinely care for the welfare of our people. I don’t wish harm on anyone, but sometimes experiencing the consequences of corruption is the harshest way to learn not to repeat our mistakes. We have been too forgiving and lenient for too long. It’s time to demand greatness and good governance.

The Philippines is rich in resources, yet only a few benefit from them. I recall the patriotism and nation-building campaigns we once championed—efforts that reminded us we are Filipinos “for a good reason: Piling-Pili, Pinong-Pino” (carefully chosen, refined, and of the highest quality). It’s time to reclaim that greatness and refuse to accept less. Enough of relying solely on resilience; we must demand accountability.

The climate is changing, disasters are intensifying, and the stakes are higher than ever. But our collective action, integrity, and insistence on good governance can change the trajectory of our nation. It’s not too late to act—if we choose to wake up, speak up, and demand the change we deserve.