Palayan Noon, Dagat na Ngayon! Why Philippines is Sinking?

Summary

This documentary highlights the devastating effects of rising sea levels and flooding on Barangay Taliptip in Bulacan, Philippines. It explores the challenges faced by locals whose homes and livelihoods are increasingly submerged, driven by climate change, land subsidence, and poor flood management. Despite government efforts and the construction of a new international airport nearby, the community struggles with constant flooding. Residents adapt with elevated vehicles and land reclamation, but their future remains uncertain. The video presents a poignant look at how these environmental issues impact daily life and local economies, urging action to slow the rise in sea levels.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rising sea levels are causing severe flooding in Barangay Taliptip, Bulacan, with some areas now permanently submerged.
• 😀 The South Luzon Expressway and other major roads in the Philippines are frequently flooded, especially during the rainy season.
• 😀 Despite government spending over 1 trillion PHP on flood control, flooding persists in many areas due to inadequate solutions and poor waste management.
• 😀 The increase in sea level in the Philippines is occurring at a much faster rate than the global average, exacerbating the flooding problem.
• 😀 Climate change, melting glaciers, and over-extraction of groundwater are contributing to the rising sea levels and sinking land in the country.
• 😀 In flood-prone areas like Barangay Taliptip, local vehicles are specially designed with high ground clearance to navigate the floods.
• 😀 Some residents in Taliptip are adapting by using makeshift solutions like land filling to combat the rising tides, though the problem persists.
• 😀 New infrastructure projects, like the New Manila International Airport, are being built in areas affected by flooding, raising concerns about the displacement of local communities.
• 😀 The growing frequency and severity of floods, especially during high tides, are damaging homes, fields, and infrastructure, creating a 'ghost town' atmosphere in affected areas.
• 😀 Despite the ongoing challenges, many residents remain in the area, accustomed to the flooding, though their livelihoods and homes are at risk from the ongoing environmental changes.

Q & A

What is the primary environmental issue discussed in the video?

The video highlights the issue of flooding and land subsidence in Barangay Taliptip, Bulacan, caused by rising sea levels, climate change, and over-extraction of groundwater.

How have the residents of Barangay Taliptip adapted to regular flooding?

The residents have adapted by modifying their vehicles to have higher ground clearance, allowing them to navigate flooded areas, and by using landfills to prevent saltwater intrusion during high tides.

What is the significance of the land development near Barangay Taliptip?

The development of the New Manila International Airport, with a budget of 740 billion PHP, is a major infrastructure project that contrasts with the environmental challenges faced by the local population due to rising sea levels.

What role does climate change play in the flooding of areas like Barangay Taliptip?

Climate change contributes to rising sea levels through the melting of glaciers in Antarctica and Greenland and the warming of ocean waters, both of which add to the volume of seawater and accelerate flooding in coastal areas.

What are some of the immediate effects of the flooding in Barangay Taliptip?

Immediate effects include submerged roads, damaged homes, the destruction of properties, and the disruption of local livelihoods, with fields turning into fish ponds due to the constant flooding.

How does the construction of the New Manila International Airport impact the flooding situation?

The construction of the airport has led to land development that exacerbates flooding, as the water volume directed toward Barangay Taliptip increases, contributing to the expansion of flooded areas.

How much has the sea level increased globally and in the Philippines?

The global sea level has increased by 3 mm per year since 1993, while in the Philippines, the rate is 5 to 7 mm per year, nearly double the global average, with an acceleration to 21 mm per year from 2015 to 2020.

What is the cause of land subsidence in Bulacan?

Land subsidence in Bulacan is primarily caused by the over-extraction of groundwater, leading to the compaction of land and its sinking, which exacerbates flooding and makes the area more vulnerable to sea-level rise.

What is the local government's strategy to combat flooding in the area?

The local government has attempted to address flooding by using landfills to raise the height of certain roads and prevent saltwater intrusion during high tides, but this has proven ineffective due to the long coastline and multiple openings for seawater.

What is the future outlook for areas like Barangay Taliptip if sea levels continue to rise?

If sea levels continue to rise, areas like Barangay Taliptip, Metro Manila, and surrounding provinces are expected to face more severe flooding, with some regions potentially being erased from the map due to the accelerated rise in sea levels.