Preparedness is power

MANILA, Philippines — As the second half of 2025 begins, the weather has taken a dramatic turn. After enduring weeks of relentless heat, Filipinos now find themselves under gray skies, battered by days of rain and strong winds, prompting state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to officially announce… the rainy season has begun.

But this year, the announcement carries more than just a change in weather, it signals a deepening crisis that we can no longer afford to ignore. With climate change intensifying weather patterns, the risks we face today have become more unpredictable and more destructive than before.

Just last weekend, we witnessed how a few hours of ordinary downpour were enough to cause widespread flooding, stranding vehicles and forcing families in some areas to leave their homes.

This isn’t the exception anymore. It’s becoming our new reality.

In a country that faces an average of 20 typhoons a year, coupled with increasingly erratic weather patterns, complacency is not an option. Last weekend was a wake-up call: the time to prepare is now, before we bear the brunt of powerful storms.

Nowadays, preparing for the rainy season has become (or if not yet, should be) an essential part of our lives. And we’re not just talking about bringing an umbrella when going out of the house or stocking up on canned goods. It’s about preparing our homes- inspecting roofs for leaks, clearing out gutters, and securing lightweight materials that can be blown away by strong winds. At Meralco, we always remind customers to practice electrical safety. This is critical, especially during the rainy season- one faulty outlet during flooding can spell the difference between life and death.

Beyond preparing our homes, equally important as well is protecting our health. Historically, the rainy season is associated with spikes in illnesses associated with the cold weather and damp conditions such as influenza, pneumonia, and dengue. This underscores the importance of getting vaccinated, especially for the elderly and those with weakened immune systems and maintaining a basic medicine supply at home. Ensuring clean drinking water and removing potential mosquito breeding sites can do a lot for one’s health and well-being this season.

Rainy season preparedness goes beyond the household level. The national government and local government units (LGUs) both play critical roles in preparing communities through disaster preparedness, public information drives, and medical missions to prevent the spread of diseases, particularly water-borne ones.

The national government bears the responsibility of leading our country’s preparations for the rainy season and ensuring that LGUs are well-equipped to respond swiftly and effectively to the needs of communities. This includes ensuring timely and seamless coordination among critical agencies like PAGASA, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and LGUs.

To ensure readiness this rainy season, President Marcos’ administration is implementing the Buong Bansa Handa (BBH) program, particularly in areas prone to storms and flooding. The program aims to synergize government and private sector resources for better disaster preparedness and response.

Local governments play a frontline role in disaster preparedness, and one of the most immediate and effective actions they can take is organizing clean-up drives in flood-prone areas. Clearing drainage systems and preventing trash buildup can significantly reduce the risk of urban flooding. Beyond this, LGUs must ensure that evacuation centers and recue equipment are ready, emergency supplies are well-stocked, and coordination protocols with barangays are revisited. Timely dissemination of weather alerts and evacuation notices, especially during typhoons, can make the difference between safety and tragedy.

Offering health services like flu vaccination and information programs on how to prevent common diseases during the rainy season such as dengue also help protect communities particularly vulnerable populations such as the children and the elderly.

Beyond physical preparation, a strong and sustained public awareness campaign is essential to strengthen community readiness against the impact of heavy rains and strong winds. People need to know what to do in case of flooding, when and where to evacuate, and who to contact in case of emergencies. This knowledge can save lives – and it must be accessible to all, especially the most vulnerable.

We cannot control the weather, but we can control how ready we are… and readiness starts with each of us. Let’s demand better systems, support local preparedness efforts, and educate ourselves and our neighbors. If we work together to improve our readiness as a country, we can weather the challenges this rainy season.