Marcos on weather systems hitting PH: This is the new normal

''This is the new normal.''

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. made this assessment as various weather systems hit the Philippines in succession this week, resulting in torrential rains and floods across most parts of the country. 

During a situational briefing with key government officials on Thursday, Marcos pointed out that tropical cyclones are inevitable. 

''This is not an extraordinary situation anymore. Do not think of it as a special situation, this is... I hate to use the overused phrase but this is the new normal. Ganito na talaga ang buhay natin kahit ano pa ang gawin natin,'' Marcos said. 

Marcos also stressed that the public must already plan to adapt as tropical cyclones could not be prevented. 

''We just have to change the way we think. Everything was different from what it was in the last 40 years,'' Marcos said. 

A total of 40 cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity as of Thursday morning due to the impact of Tropical Cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong as well as the enhanced Southwest Monsoon or Habagat.

In its 6 a.m. report on Thursday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said these areas include the entire province of Cavite covering 23 cities and municipalities, as well as 17 areas in other provinces and Metro Manila.

A total of 2,733,646 people or 765,869 families have been affected by the bad weather in all regions except Eastern Visayas.

Floods, landslides, collapsed structures, and tornadoes were reported in the affected areas. — RF, GMA Integrated News