Latest in FloodingThe presence of trees in the watershed above Metro Manila is not sufficient to significantly slow floodwater from reaching the capital region, Forest Management Bureau (FMB) Assistant Director Ray Thomas Kabigting said Friday. What is needed is closed canopy forest, where trees are dense enough to…
The fundamental reason Metro Manila floods is not engineering failure or government neglect alone — it is that generations of Filipinos built their homes, roads, and commercial centers directly in the valleys, river deltas, and natural drainage paths that nature designed specifically to carry…
Because rainfall impacts in Metro Manila vary drastically from one city to another during the same weather event, blanket class and work suspension announcements from the national government may no longer be the most appropriate response, and local government units or LGUs should be empowered to…
Manila City and other parts of Metro Manila are sinking by a few millimeters every year from natural geological processes, but human activities including excessive groundwater extraction, heavy construction, and the proliferation of concrete roads are accelerating the rate of land subsidence and…
The Marikina Valley is prone to both severe flooding and destructive earthquakes because it sits in a basin created when a block of earth dropped between the East and West Valley Fault systems, making it a natural collection point for water from Sierra Madre while simultaneously sitting in one of…
The western coastal cities of Metro Manila, including Manila, Navotas, Malabon, and Valenzuela experience flooding faster than other parts of the capital region because they sit on unconsolidated materials, loose sand, silt, and mud that water penetrates easily and moves through quickly. Mines and…
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned that Tropical Storm “Opong” is likely to strengthen into a typhoon within 48 hours and bring severe weather conditions to Metro Manila and Southern Luzon. In a press conference on Wednesday…
It only takes one subway ride abroad for the jokes to start: “Ano na, Pilipinas?” Every time I travel abroad with fellow Filipinos, this familiar chorus comes up: “Philippines can never.” Soon enough, the group’s running commentary is set: “Ibang iba talaga dito, no? Why can’t we have this in our…
The Bicol Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) has raised its operations center to red alert status on Sunday night, August 24, in preparation for the possible impact of a low pressure area (LPA). Claudio Yucot, Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Bicol director and RDRRMC…
Even after the downpour weakened, several areas in the City of Manila remained knee-deep in floodwaters for hours, with high tide worsening the deluge. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes described the downpour as “extraordinary,” noting that it coincided with…
QUEZON CITY — Tahasang itinuro ng Brgy. Damar ang itinatayong pumping station sa Brgy. Sto. Domingo na siyang dahilan ng pagbaha sa kanilang lugar sa kasagsagan ng bagyo at habagat. Sa aking ekslusibong report, bukod sa Brgy. Damar, binaha rin ang Brgy. Talayan, Brgy. Tatalon at Brgy. Sto. Domingo…
As leptospirosis cases surge—over 3,037 nationwide, with hundreds of lives lost—we must speak not only with data, but with deep empathy. Behind every statistic is a grieving family, a breadwinner lost, a child orphaned. And behind every flooded street is a system that failed them. This is not just…
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso has directed the full activation of the city’s leptospirosis surge protocol across all six city-run hospitals following days of intense flooding brought by the Southwest Monsoon and three successive typhoons—Crising, Dante, and Emong. Domagoso…
The day’s most important stories in the Philippines and the world, in one five-minute read. Delivered at 6 AM, Monday to Saturday.