LOOK: Quarrying sites in Mt. Mayon, Albay
See what’s causing the intense formation of lahar and floods in Albay. According to the data from DENR PENRO Region V, there are over 135+ permitted quarrying companies operating in Albay. The combination of intense rains caused by typhoon Kristine and mud, gravel, and loose soil caused by quarrying result in lahar.
Lahar damages in Barangay Masarawag, Guinobatan, Albay
It is not merely coincidence that most flooded areas are next to quarrying sites. The extractives-driven destruction of vital watersheds, coupled with poor disaster preparedness and response and deficient flood control projects, make these massive flooding events man-made disasters.
These quarrying companies must be held accountable for their harmful operations in the area, alongside DENR and the Albay LGU for permitting these sites. Subsidies and alternative livelihood should be provided to residents affected by the typhoon now.
The Philippines under Marcos Jr. has recently hosted the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and will host the Loss and Damage Fund. Yet his administration remains blind to the countless ‘development’ projects detrimental to disasters.
We must also not forget that the intensification of the storms are a result of climate change. The ocean’s warming has altered the path of tropical storms, causing typhoons to form closer to coastal communities. Carbon emissions have multiplied over the years due to capitalist self-interests on expansion. We must mitigate the effects of climate change by stopping these profit-driven destructive interests.
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erratum: While lahar damages occurred in Barangay Masarawag, Guinobatan during typhoon Kristine, the report of 300 submerged homes in San Francisco, Guinobatan during typhoon Rolly in November 2020 was reiterated incorrectly.
This post has been updated to reflect the correction.
