The Philippines could lose up to 30% of its coastal areas by 2050 due to rising sea levels, according to the Climate Change Commission (CCC). Even if global warming is limited to 1.5°C, as outlined in the Paris Agreement, many local government units (LGUs) remain at risk of being submerged within the next three decades.
CCC Commissioner Albert dela Cruz Sr. warned that about 10% of coastal LGUs may already be underwater by 2030, with the number tripling by mid-century. “Sixty percent of our LGUs are in coastal areas, and 30% of these could sink by 2050—possibly sooner,” he said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.
A CCC climate map shows that parts of Bulacan, Pampanga, and even Metro Manila could be submerged under the 1.5°C scenario. Dela Cruz added that if warming exceeds 2°C, the effects could be far worse.
Adapting to a Changing Climate
The commission is working with the private sector to monitor emissions and reduce the impact of global warming. Engineering solutions, stricter government policies, and climate adaptation programs are seen as crucial to protecting vulnerable areas.
“We must adapt to survive,” Dela Cruz stressed. “Humans are the weakest link because we are slow to adjust to changes.” He also highlighted the role of governance in climate resilience, saying that corruption could undermine efforts to address the crisis.
Global Warning, Local Reality
The United Nations has cautioned that unchecked climate change will lead to extreme heat, stronger storms, prolonged droughts, rising oceans, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, health risks, and displacement worldwide.
For the Philippines, a country with millions living in low-lying coastal communities, these warnings are already becoming reality. The CCC emphasized that building climate-resilient infrastructure, enforcing stronger environmental policies, and promoting local adaptation strategies are no longer optional but essential.
“Adaptation is key,” Dela Cruz said. “We need to fit into the changing climate now, or risk losing our future.”
