Marcos: Extreme weather now the norm, preps must be ‘semi-permanent’

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

HOME FOR NOW. Residents displaced by floods queue up for a hot meal at the evacuation center in Barangay Balingasa, Quezon City on Wednesday (July 23, 2025). Officials said about 190 evacuees are expected to stay at the center until the threats of Tropical Storm Dante (Francisco) and Typhoon Emong (Co-May) dissipate. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday called for a shift in mindset on disaster preparedness, urging government agencies to treat the country’s typhoon response system as “semi-permanent” amid the worsening effects of climate change.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) at Camp Aguinaldo, Marcos emphasized that extreme weather events are now the norm rather than the exception.

“We have to explain that huwag na – palitan na natin ang pag-iisip natin, hindi ito unusual, hindi ito emergency, ito ngayon talaga ang panahon. Mangyayari ito (We need to change our mindset. This is no longer unusual, this is no longer an emergency. This is now the reality of our times. It will happen),” he said.

The President said the country’s standard operating procedures – from rescue to relief delivery – are in place and constantly improving.

He, however, cited the need to further strengthen long-term adaptation measures.

“We have to make those arrangements almost semi-permanent because this is going to, as I said, this is going to happen. As I told them today, this will happen this year, it will happen next year, it will happen the year after that,” he said.

The President earlier visited evacuation centers in San Mateo, Rizal and noted the swift government response but raised concerns over overcrowding and the risk of disease outbreaks.

He ordered the deployment of medical teams from both national and local governments to all evacuation sites, equipped with sufficient supplies and medicines.

“Isa lang dyan ang magkasakit, kakalat ng napakabilis ‘yan (If just one person gets sick, it will spread very quickly),” he warned.

Marcos also said alternative learning modes for students must be explored due to recurring class suspensions during storms.

The country is currently monitoring and being affected by three weather systems – Typhoon Emong (Co-May), Tropical Storm Dante (Francisco), and the enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat.”

Most of Luzon and parts of the Visayas remain inundated due to days of torrential monsoon rains, with heavy rainfall expected to persist in the coming days.