Navigating a new climate reality

State weather bureau PAGASA has formally marked the onset of the southwest monsoon or the habagat – a familiar seasonal that Filipinos deal with, year in and year out. With it comes the expected transition into the rainy season.

The recent advisory comes with a reminder worth underscoring: the rains do not necessarily temper the heat. Even during the monsoon season, elevated heat index levels – what the human body actually experiences when humidity magnifies ambient temperature – can persist and at times even worsen.

PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando, in a recent interview, underscored this reality. Coastal areas, he said, are especially exposed: dense, moisture-laden air combined with already elevated temperatures produces punishing heat index levels. He pointed to Daet, Camarines Norte and Virac, Catanduanes as examples. Aside from coastal areas, Servando said residents in low-lying areas are also likely to experience hot and humid conditions.

While Filipinos are no strangers to hot days during the dry season, unusually high temperatures in recent days have prompted discussions on effects to people’s health. Extreme heat can cause dehydration, heat stroke, fatigue and skin diseases, especially among vulnerable sectors such as children and the elderly and those with limited means to cope. What was a seasonal discomfort is increasingly being recognized as a persistent public health challenge.

Against this backdrop, PAGASA is closely monitoring the likely arrival of El Niño, with a 92 percent chance of developing between June and August and persisting until early 2027. Climate projections suggest it may intensify into a strong, even “very strong,” episode by yearend.

Yet, as is often the case with our weather, the pattern is not straightforward. Before the expected dry spell fully sets in, El Niño may first strengthen the southwest monsoon, bringing heavier rains to the western sections of Luzon and the Visayas and ushering in as many as nine to 13 tropical cyclones during the season.

Here then lies the difficulty – and perhaps the quiet burden of that Filipinos now face. We need to adjust not just once, but repeatedly: from searing heat to sudden downpours, and back again to prolonged dryness. PAGASA warns that after this early spell of rain, the country could slip into dry conditions and even drought starting November and stretching into early 2027.

For those who have lived long enough to remember more predictable seasons, this back-and-forth feels unsettling. Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract concern – it is here, pressing upon everyday decisions – what activities to do, how to travel, how to care for our health and many more.

It signals something more fundamental as well. Rising heat indexes and stronger storms are not mere inconveniences. These have negative impacts on our health and disrupt agriculture and economic activity.

Taken together, these are reminders of our growing vulnerability. The challenge for us is to adapt to worsening conditions while at the same time, reducing the risks that fuel them.

At this stage in my life, I have seen our country weather many storms, both literal and figurative. I have learned that while we may not control everything, we can still choose how we respond. One of the most immediate and practical ways we can all contribute today is through energy efficiency.

As we always remind in Meralco, using electricity wisely does more than ease the burden on household expenses. It also helps reduce the overall demand on our energy system. Every kilowatt-hour we save is a small but meaningful act – one that helps lessen the greenhouse gas emissions that worsen global warming. I have come to appreciate that it is these small, consistent actions that bring about lasting change.

Simple actions matter. Shifting energy-intensive tasks to off-peak hours, switching to LED lighting, maintaining clean filters in air conditioners, and setting cooling appliances to optimal temperatures can collectively make a difference. Filipinos have long embraced bayanihan. Energy efficiency is a modern form of this concept, where small, everyday choices can strengthen our nation’s resilience.

While personal responsibility is important, we must also speak of accountability. As the rainy season approaches once again, I cannot help but think of the many communities that remain vulnerable to flooding. It is deeply concerning that funds meant for critical flood control projects have been lost to corruption- resources that could have saved lives and protected homes.

These are not just numbers on a page. These are life-saving investments. Those entrusted with public funds must be held accountable. Climate resilience is not only about conserving energy or planting trees, but also about ensuring that every peso allocated for the public good is used with integrity, for the safety and well-being of our people.

The changes we are experiencing today – stronger typhoons, hotter days, longer droughts – they are no longer isolated events. They are part of a pattern that demands foresight, discipline and above all, honesty in governance. We cannot afford to look away or delay action.

This is why energy efficiency, the development of renewable energy and transparent governance must move forward together. Flood control systems, RE investments and disaster preparedness programs should not only be priorities, but they must also be carried out with urgency and with full transparency.

Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is the reality we now live with. But as one who has witnessed both hardship and hope in this country, it is best that I remain optimistic. If we work together – acting with purpose and demanding accountability, we can still build a stronger and more resilient Philippines.