Duterte on stronger typhoons, flooding: The problem is climate change

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday attributed to climate change the severe weather disturbances in the country causing massive flooding like in Cagayan and Isabela.

"Ang problema talaga is whether we accept it or not, yung climate change. The warm climate that boils the Pacific Ocean, there's a lot of water vapor going upstairs and accumulating into so much rain," Duterte said in a situation briefing in Cagayan on Sunday.

Typhoon Ulysses has caused widespread damage and flooding throughout Luzon, from the southern Bicol provinces to Metro Manila and Central Luzon to the Cagayan Valley region in the north. It was the 21st cyclone to enter the Philippines this year.

Duterte recalled that during the East Asia Summit he attended over the weekend, he emphasized the need for nations to address climate change.

"I was very strong in my language about the people who contribute a lot in global warming and anong pinakita nila sa atin, tayo Philippines we only have a few factories running here. We don't have that kind of.... a little but not that much," he said.

"Kapag bumagsak na talagang babagsak. It does not only rain of cats of dogs, it is really water cure over here," he added.

Matter of justice

During the summit, Duterte called on ASEAN's Dialogue Partners to recommit to climate action and to lead countries towards net zero emissions.

At the same time, he also called for increased climate financing, technology transfer, and capacity building in the region in order to allow developing countries like the Philippines to build sustainable and resilient communities.

“Climate change is not just a matter of survival. It is equally a matter of justice,” Duterte said.

A total of 67 individuals have already died following the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses, of which 22 are from Region II, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Duterte said food and water should be given immediately to residents affected by the flooding as they need them the most.

"Ang guidance talaga, I got this from President [Fidel] Ramos, it's not my novel idea. After a catastrophe, the objective is to return to normalcy as soon as possible," he said.

"Ang atin ngayon gawin, just the same, we will do everything to return to normalcy," he added. —JST, GMA News