Sinking island in Bohol affects livelihood, education of residents; declared 'inhabitable' by DENR

There are 7,641 islands in the Philippines, but recently, there has been a growing concern that this number might decrease as some of the country's smaller islands begin sinking into the waters.

According to the recent episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," this is observed in Batasan Island on Tubigon, Bohol.

To investigate the current situation, Jessica Soho traveled all the way to Bohol.

When an earthquake struck the island in 2013, its land started sinking until it reached below sea level waters, affecting residents' livelihoods and education.

Out of Tubigon's 34 barangays, six of them are islands, and four of them are in great danger of sinking underwater.

Residents said that they are already used to the constant increase in the level of water. They keep track of the high and low tides using their calendars, which every house has.

Houses also have an extra barrier made with piles of coral so water won't get inside. They also installed fishing nets so garbage wouldn't pass through.

Mirasol Salomon, a resident born on the island, admitted that it has been a struggle for them dealing with the water.

"Makakatulog naman pero minsan, 'pag gabi 'yung dagat po, hindi kami makakatulog," she said. "Kunwari mataas ang higaan namin, maabot sa dagat hindi kami muna matutulog."

["We can't sleep properly because we're afraid the water level will rise."]

She said that they would just carry the children whenever the water reached their beds.

Aside from Batayan Island, its neighboring islands, Ubay, Inanuran, and Bilang-bilangan, have also started sinking.

"'Yung geological setting talaga ng Bohol ay mostly limestone 'yung lupa. So nu'ng nagkaroon ng earthquake, umangat 'yung ibang parts ng Bohol. Pero dahil umangat 'yung ibang parts ng Bohol, ibig sabihin may lulubog na ibang parts ng Bohol. So unfortunately, isa ang Batasan doon sa mga areas na lumubog," Greenpeace Campaigner Jefferson Chua from Greenpeace Philippines said.

["The land in Bohol is mostly composed of limestone. So when the earthquake hit, many parts of Bohol rose, which meant that some parts sank. Unfortunately, Batasan was one of the areas that sank."]

Affected areas outside of Bohol

Aside from the islands in Bohol, this is also experienced in other parts of the Philippines, including some areas in Bulacan, Mindoro, Roxas City in Capiz, and Cotabato City.

According to data gathered by Greenpeace East Asia, because of the 13.24 mm water level rise in Manila Bay, it is not noticeable that Metro Manila is also sinking by 10 centimeters per year.

"May report kami that showed na by 2030 napakataas ng chance na mas madali nang mapasukan ng tubig ang Manila dahil sa sea level rise na 'yan," Chua said.

["One of our reports showed that by 2030, there's a much higher chance that Manila will be flooded by water because of the rise in sea level."]

Since the year 1880, it is estimated that the sea level has risen by 21 to 24 centimeters around the world.

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of America, the global sea level is rising by 3.4 millimeters per year.

Our neighboring country, Indonesia, which is also an archipelago like the Philippines, is set to move its capital from Jakarta to Nusantara in Borneo due to the gradual sinking of the capital.

'Inhabitable'

While residents of Batasan Island have already been advised to flee the island, they said that things are easier said than done, especially since it is the place where they were born and spent their lives.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has also already declared the island inhabitable.

When asked if there's still a chance to save the island, Romeo Geronimo MENRO, Tubigon, Bohol  said, "As of now, wala pa ma'am. Nag-submerge na talaga siya."

["At present, there is no chance; the area is completely submerged."]

"Dine-declare na 'yung mga islands na no-build zone. In-encourage talaga namin sila na mag-relocate. Kasi kung LGU lang hindi kaya 'pag funds ng LGU. And fortunately, mayroon kaming grant from the National Housing Authority worth 50 million. And it's going to be 60 units for each family, pero 'yung affected is like 300." Froilan Cosgasa, Tubigon MDRRMO said.

["The islands have been declared as no-build zones. We strongly encourage the residents to relocate because the local government unit doesn't have enough funds. We have a grant from the National Housing Authority that's worth 50 million. But that is not enough for the 300 families that are affected."]

What is causing this?

Climate change is the reason why this is happening, according to Greenpeace Campaigner Jefferson Chua.

"Normal ang proseso ng pagbago ng klima pero nakikita natin na dahil sa mga ginagawa ng mga tao, na-accelerate nito ang climate change in historical levels,"  he said.

["The change in climate is normal, but due to human activities, the pace of climate change has accelerated to unprecedented historical levels."]

According to experts, global warming, which is one of the manifestations of climate change, can now be considered "global boiling," or the rapid increase in global temperature.

"Trailer lang 'to. Ang mga impacts ng climate change is two-fold, three-fold, four-fold even sa naramdaman natin ngayon. Medyo sumusuko na tayo sa 40 degree weather," Chua said.

["What we're experiencing right now is only a glimpse of what could happen because of global warming. Right now, we're already struggling with the 40-degree weather."]

Because of this, rain in the Philippines will become unpredictable.

"Pero 'yung pinaka-glaring talaga doon, kapag nag-continue tayo sa kung paano natin pinapatakbo ang mga business natin on fossil fuels ngayon at hindi bumaba 'yung carbon emissions natin, we're looking at 365 days of extreme heat buong taon. Ganoon kalala. So 'di 'ba nakakatakot siya," Chua said.

["If we continue doing what we're doing and our carbon emissions don't decrease, we're looking at 365 days of extreme heat. It's that serious. Isn't that scary?"]

"Kaya kailangan maging mas urgent po talaga ang panawagan para maging accountable ang mga carbon majors natin sa ginagawa nila sa mundo ngayon," he added.

["That's why we have this more urgent call for carbon majors to be accountable for what they're doing."]

—JCB, GMA Integrated News