Devastation Strikes as President Marcos Addresses Ongoing Rescue Efforts
On Saturday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his deep concern over the extensive isolation faced by many areas affected by Tropical Storm Trami, emphasizing that rescue operations were still in full swing. During his inspection of one of the severely impacted regions southeast of Manila, he noted the overwhelming amount of rainfall that had fallen, likening it to receiving one to two months’ worth of precipitation within a mere 24-hour period. This extreme weather event overwhelmed flood control systems in numerous provinces ravaged by Trami.
Marcos remarked, “The water was just too much.” He further stated, “We’re not done yet with our rescue work. There are still many areas that remain flooded and are inaccessible, even for large trucks.” In light of the unprecedented challenges posed by climate change, the President indicated that his administration would prioritize the planning of a significant flood control project aimed at mitigating future disasters.
As Trami moved away from the northwestern Philippines on Friday, the storm had already claimed at least 85 lives, with 41 individuals reported missing. This catastrophe has been classified as one of the deadliest and most destructive storms to strike the Southeast Asian archipelago in 2023, as reported by the government’s disaster-response agency. Authorities expect the death toll to rise as communication is restored with previously isolated regions.
In the lakeside town of Talisay in Batangas province, rescue teams, including dozens of police officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel, worked tirelessly to locate the last two missing villagers. Utilizing three backhoes and sniffer dogs, they unearthed the remains of one individual on Saturday. A grieving father, anxiously awaiting news about his missing 14-year-old daughter, was overcome with emotion as he watched rescuers place the body in a black body bag. Despite his certainty about the identity of the victim, he understood that authorities needed to conduct formal checks before confirming.
In Talisay’s town center, a nearby basketball gym was transformed into a makeshift morgue, where over a dozen white coffins lined up side by side, containing the remains of those who perished in the tragic landslide. This disaster occurred when torrents of mud, boulders, and trees cascaded down from the steep ridges, devastating Sampaloc village on Thursday afternoon.
More than five million people found themselves in the storm’s path, with nearly half a million seeking refuge in over 6,300 emergency shelters across various provinces, according to government reports. In response to the crisis, President Marcos convened an emergency Cabinet meeting, during which he expressed alarm over forecasts predicting that the storm—now the 11th to hit the Philippines in 2023—might reverse course next week due to high-pressure winds in the South China Sea. The storm is expected to impact Vietnam over the weekend, contingent on its trajectory.
As a precautionary measure, the government ordered schools and public offices to remain closed for a third consecutive day on Friday, aiming to ensure the safety of millions residing on Luzon, the main northern island. Inter-island ferry services were also suspended, leaving thousands stranded. Fortunately, the weather improved in many areas on Saturday, enabling cleanup efforts to commence.
Each year, the Philippines endures an average of 20 storms and typhoons, given its geographical location between the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea. The nation still bears the scars of Typhoon Haiyan, which struck in 2013, claiming over 7,300 lives and obliterating entire communities.