A long hot summer ahead of us

It appears as though our hot spell is really only just beginning. In a previous column I wrote that we were glad that El Niño was beginning to wane and that it was a really good thing because some parts of the country are in desperate need of respite. But now I see that it looks like I might have been wrong about that and jumped the gun. The temperatures just keep on rising and there are still so many parts of the country reeling from lack of rainfall and lack of food.

The Department of Agriculture has estimated the loss and damage to roughly P4 billion worth of crops all over the country with over 100,000 farmers affected by the drought. We all saw the desperation during the awful Kidapawan tragedy that happened earlier this April. Desperate and starving farmers created a roadblock to highlight their dire need and reiterated their mournful plight to the government to release rice stocks to help abate the famine.

In years past, by this time rains would have come and the harvest would have put food on the tables of the farmers and their families. But since the weather is not cooperating and it is only continuing to get hotter and drier – the relief did not come and many farmers and their families in the region are facing a deadly famine, which has spurned them into action. Unfortunately this action led to massive bloodshed and has shone the light on the problems climate change could cause in the coming years. It is so sad and depressing to think that those who grow the food we eat have no food for themselves.

While there are two sides to the Kidapawan tragedy (some say the hungry farmers were merely used as political puppets used to discredit the government), what remains after all the smoke and mirrors are gone and the politics is removed from the situation is that the problem is real and there are hungry people dying that desperately need the government’s help. And with weather like this it could only get worse. There has to be a solution to help them not just for the short term, but in the long run too.

It’s not too much to ask for us to be better prepared to handle the seasons and the problems that might arise due to weather in the country. After all, we only have two seasons to contend with here – wet and dry. We’re lucky that we don’t have to prepare for four seasons like other countries around the world. We are spared for extra spending on mobility, clothing and housing due to weather. So it’s important that we focus on being more prepared for the seasons that we do have. Especially now that climate change is starting to really show its effects.

In my previous column I wrote that El Niño mystifies me in the sense that while some provinces are desperate for rainfall, others still enjoy an abundance of water. Why are some spared the drought while others are not? It’s especially mysterious because our islands are all bunched up so close and yet the weather in certain places can be so different than the weather in others. Again, if only there were a way to channel one area’s over abundance of water to the drought affected areas. That would be an ideal situation for everyone. But of course, figuring out how to do this would take a lot of research and ample funding by the government.

And speaking of climate change and funding, former Agriculture Secretary William Dar has already suggested tripling the Department of Agriculture’s budget to up to P300 billion next year. I think this is worth deeper study. Much like Education, the government should invest in what will be the livelihood of our farmers and their families. It’s sad because when I was young, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Baños, Laguna was the envy of our Southeast Asian neighbors who sent their agriculture experts here to learn and copy our systems. From being a leading rice exporter, we are now importing our rice from countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and others. This should not be the case. We need to revive this once bountiful industry and find ways to mitigate the problems presented by heat and drought.

At the end of the day, while it may seem like a small thing, the heat of the summer really is affecting everyone very badly and in so many ways. The Department of Health is doing a great job warning everyone of the dangers they could face in this heat wave. Especially those on the campaign trail. DOH Secretary Garin has advised the candidates and their campaign groups to take frequent breaks as they go into the final campaign stretch. If possible to avoid any activities between 12nn-2pm and to be sure to remain hydrated to avoid heat stroke.

This applies to everyone not just the candidates but also to those joining the rallies and everyone who has to spend time outdoors for work or in non-air-conditioned venues – like our traffic enforcers, toll booth personnel and many more. The heat can be insidious and you may not know it but you might already be getting dehydrated. If you feel any symptoms like dizziness, headaches and fever, get inside and cool down immediately. Plus, drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine whenever possible.

It looks like the heat is here to stay for a while, so it’s best we find ways to live with it. This could be as simple as sharing resources and planning our activities in advance for most of us. For the government and those in charge it means looking for sustainable and long-lasting solutions for problems that can arise from the rising temperatures. After all, this is probably not going to be the last summer that it’s this hot.