The Philippines is once again reeling from the compounded impact of relentless rains and fierce winds, as the combined effects of the southwest monsoon (habagat) and Tropical Storm Crising left a trail of destruction from northern Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao.
In the province of Cagayan, where Crising’s winds skirted close, the toll on agriculture was staggering. Over 3,000 hectares of rice and cornfields were either submerged or flattened, with the initial damage estimate reaching P17 million. In the coastal town of Buguey, aquaculture was also hit hard. Fisherfolk were forced to harvest 20 metric tons of malaga fish ahead of schedule — a loss estimated at P5 million. In a show of solidarity and swift local action, the Buguey local government purchased the prematurely harvested fish and distributed them to the town’s most vulnerable residents, including indigent families, farmers, and fisherfolk.
Crising’s disruption affected over 2,000 families — more than 7,000 individuals — in Cagayan alone, displacing many and putting livelihoods at risk.
Farther south in San Francisco, Southern Leyte, Crising brought towering waves that battered the coastline and damaged infrastructure. A section of the town’s dock partially collapsed, and drone footage captured visible cracks snaking through the weakened concrete. Local officials are currently assessing the full extent of the structural damage, fearing the potential disruption to cargo and fishing operations.
Meanwhile in Antique, three residents were hurt after a landslide swept through a hillside community, once again underscoring the dangerous mix of saturated soil and deforestation in mountainous areas.
Nationwide, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) confirmed five fatalities as of the morning of July 21 — three from Northern Mindanao and one each from Davao and Caraga. With rains expected to continue due to the prevailing habagat and a low-pressure area lingering off Luzon, authorities are bracing for more flooding and landslides.
Metro Manila is also on high alert, with La Mesa Dam nearing its spilling point and Ipo Dam already releasing excess water. These developments could lead to further flooding in low-lying areas across the capital and neighboring provinces.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned that weather disturbances may persist in the coming days, urging the public to stay informed and cautious.
While Crising is now weakening as it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility, its aftermath is a stark reminder of the country’s vulnerability to climate extremes. But even in the face of adversity, stories of cooperation — from towns buying back fish harvests to local rescue teams on the ground — highlight the enduring Filipino spirit of resilience.