Gradual sinking of barangay in Bulacan possibly caused by climate change

Barangay Taliptip in Bulakan, Bulacan may be providing a preview of things to come in other coastal areas in the country including Manila due to climate change.

According to Joseph Morong’s special report on “24 Oras”, residents in the barangay are wary of the high tide coming in and when tropical cyclones bring heavy rain as the water creeps into the roads, something that didn't happen years ago.

The villagers have also come up with improvised vehicles such as the tipaklong, a long tricycle with the engine raised higher up so it may traverse flood waters.

Zaldy Abordo, a resident of the barangay for the past 40 years, said it was not this way at all decades ago.

He said there were no floods only trees and plants. 

The Climate Change Commission said the Philippines has experienced a high sea level rise due to the melting of ice caps at 60 centimeters — three times faster than the global average of 19 centimeters.

Experts said the world's sea level increased to 11 to 16 centimeters in the 21st century and is expected to further climb to 20 to 30 centimeters by 2050.

Environmental organization Greenpeace warned several cities around the world including Manila may possibly sink by 2030 due to the rise of sea level coinciding with ground subsidence, or the sinking of land due to the withdrawal of groundwater.

“If it’s five centimeters per year, in ten years, it's half a meter. In 20 years, it's one meter,” said UP Resilience Institute Executive Director Mahar Lagmay.

For the rest of this special report, please watch the video. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News