![\"Activists](\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-philippines-stateless\/2025\/11\/ea9aa36c-gp0su7esn-1024x683.jpg\" "\\"Activists")
\u201cFossil fuel greed is not only driving the climate crisis but is also pushing Filipinos deeper into totally preventable debt, hunger, and poverty,\u201d said Jefferson Chua, climate campaigner at Greenpeace Philippines. \u201cEvery stronger typhoon, every flooded home, every life lost is a direct result of decades of corporate negligence and government inaction. How many more Uwans and Tinos must we endure before the world finally makes polluters pay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n
Rapid attribution studies released today show that climate change increased Uwan\u2019s wind speed in the Philippines by 5.5% and rainfall by 10.5%,[1] while Tino\u2019s wind speed rose by 3% and rainfall by 8.6% as it hit Vietnam.[2] The estimates were generated using the Imperial College Storm Model (IRIS) model. The two storms triggered massive flooding and storm surges across the islands of Luzon and Visayas, leaving nearly 240 people dead, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).<\/p>\n\n \u201cEvery increase in intensity translates to suffering and death for those living in the frontlines,\u201d Chua added. \u201cLet us be perfectly clear: these are not one-off events but part of a disturbing pattern of rapidly intensifying, wetter, and more unpredictable extreme weather, bearing the fingerprints of fossil fuel companies who continue to drive the climate crisis to unimaginable proportions. Allowing them to continue business as usual is condemning millions of Filipinos to a lifetime of rebuilding from ruins. At COP30, we expect world leaders to strengthen adaptation commitments and finally fill the Loss and Damage Fund.\u201d<\/p>\n\n Combined infrastructure damages from Tino[3] and Uwan[4] have reached PHP 2.18 billion, while agricultural losses soared to PHP 502.18 million, according to the latest NDRRMC figures. These exclude the non-economic impacts such as emotional, psychological, and physical suffering\u2014burdens that communities repeatedly exposed to climate disasters are forced to carry.<\/p>\n\n \u201cMarami na kaming nakitang bagyo, pero [Uwan] was the worst that we have experienced,\u201d recalled a teary-eyed Glynis Balagot, owner of a hostel in San Juan, La Union. \u201cDagdagan mo pa ng corrupt politicians na supposedly should be taking care of us\u2026 Akala niyo hindi totoo \u2018yung climate change? It\u2019s real. Akala niyo hindi nakakamatay \u2018yung corruption niyo? It\u2019s real. Pahirap kayo, sa totoo lang. These companies have to pay. This government has to pay. Wala kayong awa,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n (We\u2019ve weathered so many storms, but Uwan was the worst that we have experienced. On top of this, we have corrupt politicians who supposedly should be taking care of us. You think climate change is not real? It\u2019s real. You think your corruption isn\u2019t causing death? Frankly speaking, it\u2019s a burden to us all. These companies have to pay. This government has to pay. These people are ruthless.)<\/p>\n\n Earlier research[5] also linked climate change to the intensification of typhoons closer to shore, leaving communities with little time to prepare and worsening impacts on agriculture, fisheries, and local tourism.<\/p>\n\n \u201cKapag may bagyo, nasisira ang aming mga bangka. Matagal pang [maipaayos] dahil wala kaming pambili,\u201d said Roger Fabillar, president of the Seguinon Fisherfolks Association and a fisherfolk for more than 30 years in Eastern Samar, a province frequently battered by typhoons. \u201cMadalas, \u2018di [kami] makapalaot dahil masama ang panahon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n (Our boats get damaged whenever storms hit. It takes a lot of time to get them fixed as our finances run dry. Most of the time, we can\u2019t go out fishing due to extreme weather conditions.)<\/p>\n\n Greenpeace believes these realities demonstrate why urgent action at home, alongside the COP30 negotiations, is essential. \u201cPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. must also take strong domestic action, such as certifying the Climate Accountability (CLIMA) Bill as urgent. This would direct climate finance to frontline communities and hold major polluters financially accountable for the harm they have caused,\u201d Chua added.<\/p>\n\n Photos of La Union photo-ops <\/strong>HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n Video of clip reel <\/strong>HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n Access all photos and videos of Super Typhoon Uwan <\/strong>HERE<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n Note to the editor:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n [1] Typhoon Fung-wong<\/a><\/p>\n\n [2] Typhoon Kalmaegi<\/a><\/p>\n\n [3] Situational Report No. 25 for the Effects of Tropical Cyclone TINO (2025)<\/a><\/p>\n\n [4] Situational Report No. 17 for the Effects of TC UWAN (2025)<\/a><\/p>\n\n![\"Activists](\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-philippines-stateless\/2025\/11\/2f13d057-gp0su7et3.jpg\" "\\"Activists")
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