These timely articles, Controlling Nature, Facing up to the Reality of Climate Change, and the Cost of ‘Wrong Mistakes,’ were first published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. We thank the author for allowing us to feature this three-part compilation in Dateline Ibalon.

Controlling Nature

November 15, 2024

In the aftermath of the unprecedented flooding in Naga City and its neighboring municipalities, many on Facebook have expressed concern that our country is ill-equipped to address such natural disasters. Driven by this sentiment, I embarked on a research to explore this issue in greater depth, which has led to the writing of this piece.

Evidence shows that countries prone to flooding can effectively manage massive floods, even though flooding is a natural phenomenon. Countries like the Netherlands, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Bangladesh have implemented strategies combining infrastructure, technologies, and policies to control floods. While most of these examples are from developed countries, Bangladesh stands out as a developing country that has achieved similar success. This erstwhile impoverished country shows that it’s possible even for countries like the Philippines.

These successes result from a combination of large-scale infrastructure, community-based programs, and advanced technology. Their policies integrate flood control into urban and environmental planning adapting to the unique challenges of each country.

In the Netherlands, where much of the land lies below sea level, centuries of flood management have led to one of the world’s most advanced systems of dams, sluices, locks, dikes, and storm surge barriers. Their “Room for the River” program designates areas where rivers can safely overflow relieving pressure on dikes and protecting cities. Continuous water level monitoring and predictive modeling further enable early warnings and proactive action.

Japan, facing frequent typhoons, earthquakes, and heavy rainfall, has built underground flood channels. Tokyo’s Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel is an enormous system that channels excess water away from urban areas during storms. The integration of sensors and real-time data supports quick and precise decisions on when and where to divert water, while flood zones, levees, and rainwater storage systems help safeguard cities.

Bangladesh, a delta country prone to monsoons, river flooding, and rising sea levels, has developed comprehensive flood warning systems. Advanced forecasting and early warnings have significantly reduced flood casualties, and local communities are trained in flood preparedness and adaptation. The country has also built cyclone shelters, elevated homes, and embankments to protect vulnerable areas.

Singapore, with intense rainfall due to its tropical climate, experiences frequent flash floods. Its sophisticated drainage system includes widened canals and detention ponds to manage excess rainwater, alongside policies promoting stormwater management through green roofs, permeable pavements, and rain gardens. Its “Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Programme” integrates aesthetics, water quality, and flood control for a holistic approach to water management.

In the UK, London’s Thames Barrier protects the city from tidal surges and river flooding. It consists of several movable gates across the River Thames that can be raised to block high tides or surges from the North Sea. In rural areas, the UK has invested in restoring natural landscapes, like wetlands and woodlands, which absorb rainwater, slow river flows, and reduce flood peaks downstream. This approach allows water to be “held back” naturally, lessening the flood risk for downstream communities.

All these interventions fall into two essential categories: drainage systems and flood control. Drainage systems handle regular water flow to prevent waterlogging, erosion, and small-scale flooding. Flood control measures, on the other hand, target large-scale flooding from extreme weather, employing levees, dams, floodwalls, and retention basins to protect communities.

While the Netherlands, Japan, Singapore, and the UK benefit from substantial resources and advanced technologies, Bangladesh demonstrates that practical and cost-effective solutions are attainable. Through a combination of early warning systems, community training, raised homes, flood-resistant crops, and elevated shelters, Bangladesh has successfully mitigated the impacts of extreme flooding.

It is time for the government of the Philippines, nongovernmental organizations, and civil society to draw on these models, especially the Bangladesh experience, to strengthen our flood control efforts and protect communities from the growing risks of climate change.

Facing Up to the Reality of Climate Change

November 30, 2024

The series of typhoons (Nika, Marce, and Leon), super typhoons (Pepito and Ofel), and severe tropical storm (Kristine) that battered the Philippines this November and October serves as an urgent call for both government non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

For NGOs, in particular, this signals the need for a fundamental shift in development approaches, strategies, and programs—especially among those committed to sustaining improvements in the lives of the poor.

NGOs engaged in development must prioritize vulnerable communities that bear the brunt of extreme flooding caused by typhoons. These include low-lying areas near rivers and seas, as well as flood-prone urban zones. Expansion efforts should focus on disaster-prone areas even if these have been previously served. In just one month, at least 160 lives were lost, more than 600,00 people were displaced as floodwaters swept away homes or destroyed them with strong winds, and over half a billion pesos worth of damage was sustained by agriculture and infrastructure. The economic repercussions ripple across the country, ultimately impacting the gross domestic product.

For the government, it is high time to push forward with plans to establish a dedicated department for disaster risk reduction. Such a move would consolidate efforts, enhance coordination, and improve the country’s overall preparedness. For Bicol, which suffered unprecedented flooding due to severe tropical storm “Kristine,” reviving the Bicol River Basin Development Program by leveraging institutional knowledge is a prudent step.

To create programs that deliver lasting improvements for the poor, NGOs may need to reassess their priorities and focus more on infrastructure support. While this may seem like a step back, it is, in reality, a necessary strategy to mitigate the devastating effects of climate change. Without robust infrastructure—such as flood control systems, reinforced housing, and disaster-resilient community facilities—years of development work can be undone in moments, erasing the gains of past interventions.

Protecting lives and livelihoods in vulnerable areas must take precedence. These interventions, though costly, are investments in resilience. NGOs must also advocate for the protection of natural barriers like the Sierra Madre Mountain range, which plays a critical role in weakening the destructive forces of typhoons. Far from being a liability, these initiatives could attract more donor funding. Saving the environment and safeguarding communities yield clear, measurable, and relatable results. The outcomes resonate with donors and make securing grants more likely.

Implementing these changes will require strategic, high-level decisions, and approval from NGO boards. This is not entirely a paradigm shift. Many NGOs have extensive experience in infrastructure projects that offer valuable lessons to inform future initiatives. Leveraging institutional knowledge can lead to more effective and sustainable solutions. For instance, NGOs can once again deploy trained community theater groups of children and young adults to raise awareness about flood preparedness and climate adaptation.

Collaboration with government agencies will be crucial for the financial, logistical, and technical execution of infrastructure projects. Community participation, from design and implementation to monitoring and evaluation, must remain a cornerstone of these efforts. To achieve this, NGOs should build coalitions and networks at the national level to strengthen their collective impact.

What is the point of empowering the poor, protecting children, prioritizing girls, and advocating for human rights if the same people are forced to evacuate repeatedly due to floodwaters, storm surges, mudslides, and typhoons? If their livelihoods are continuously destroyed, all efforts to uplift their lives become futile.

The time to act is now. Bangladesh, a developing country like the Philippines, has demonstrated success in combating floods. The erstwhile impoverished country has developed comprehensive flood warning systems. Advanced forecasting and early warnings have significantly reduced flood casualties, and local communities are trained in flood preparedness and adaptation. The country has also built cyclone shelters, elevated homes, and embankments to protect vulnerable areas.

NGOs and the government must rise to the challenge of climate change, ensuring that development work is not only sustainable but also resilient in the face of increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters.

The Cost of ‘Wrong Mistakes’

December 18, 2024

In our country, the poor bear the brunt of every calamity, whether it’s a pandemic or a catastrophic flood. From struggling to put food on the table to scraping together transport fare, the hardships of the poor are unrelenting. In contrast, the rich thrive even in adversity, laughing their way to the bank in good times. It’s no surprise that the gap between the rich and poor has only widened.

For decades, the government has tried to uplift the poor, but progress remains elusive. Real change, however, must start from within the poor themselves. Education remains the most powerful tool to break free from poverty. Betting on the lotto offers a one-in-14-million chance.

Growing up, my family experienced poverty after my father retired from government service. His modest retirement money lasted only a few years. Around the same time, he lost his additional income as a handler of fighting cocks. Although his roosters had more wins than losses, his wealthy patrons gradually abandoned the sport, one after another, due to health concerns. Yet, life for the poor then felt less harsh than today. Poverty was simpler. It was mostly about insufficient money for daily needs. Neighbors and relatives were more generous, and issues like vulnerability to abuse, exploitation, and deprivation were less pronounced.

Today, poverty is multidimensional. It’s not just about lack of income but also remoteness, deprivation, and vulnerability. Over time, successive administrations have failed to eradicate extreme poverty due to corruption, incompetence, and the stranglehold of political dynasties. Meanwhile, our Asian neighbors (Taiwan, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore) have prospered through good governance. And unlike the Philippines, they achieved much of their progress without a long history of working with nongovernment organizations (NGOs).

Poverty underpins nearly all social problems. While it’s true that development isn’t just about money, financial stability is a vital foundation. Those who claim that money isn’t important must try giving all their money to Angat Buhay’s chairperson and president Leni Robredo, who uses resources to aid victims of disasters and lift communities out of despair.

In addition to government initiatives, NGOs have worked tirelessly to address poverty and its adverse effects. These organizations (international, national, and local) follow diverse agendas aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Yet, despite their efforts, development’s costs often outweigh the benefits in a global cost-benefit analysis.

Today, however, working with the poor has become more effective. Decades of capacity-building efforts have empowered vulnerable communities to demand accountability from those in power. Many marginalized groups now have the tools to claim ownership of processes, reducing the need for prolonged preparatory work.

Still, development is not only about alleviating poverty but also about fostering decency, justice, and morality. Some people escape poverty only to perpetuate greed and indifference, becoming even more exploitative than those born into wealth.

The Philippines, unfortunately, is at the mercy of its geography. Positioned in the Pacific typhoon belt, it suffers repeated devastation that wipes out hard-earned development gains. We are also in the so-called ring of fire, so once in a while, earthquakes, which are equally destructive, flatten a locality. Yet, even as natural disasters expose our vulnerabilities, another storm looms—our flawed electoral choices.

For years, many Filipinos have succumbed to short-term gratification during elections, exchanging votes for fleeting monetary rewards. These “wrong mistakes” have saddled us with the wrong leaders, whose failures we endure for years. Until we break this cycle, we will continue to suffer under a leadership that prioritizes personal gain over the public good.

Real change demands more than government reforms or NGO efforts. It requires a critical-thinking electorate committed to long-term progress over fleeting rewards. Only then can we hope to transform our society and build a future where the poor are no longer the hardest hit but are empowered to survive and thrive.

The header image shows a small section of The Sierra Madre Mountain Range. Standing 6,283 feet and spanning more than 540 kilometers, it is Luzon’s natural fortress and the region’s armor against typhoons from the Pacific Ocean. The mountain range’s significant elevation helps slow down storm systems, ensuring more even rainfall distribution (credit: Inquirer.net, November 18, 2024)

About the author

NESTOR “NONO” FELIX worked in various capacities for an INGO for more than 25 years before retiring in 2011. From 1997 to 2010, he was the corporate planning and M&E manager covering Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Nepal, the Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam.

He contributes commentaries and opinions to the Philippine Daily Inquirer (bylined Nono Felix). He also writes poems for the Philippines Graphic. He is a recipient of the 2024 Nick Joaquin Literary Awards’ Graphic Salute Award bestowed by the Philippines Graphic in the poetry category, an award he also received in 2023. He lives with his family in San Felipe, Naga City.