Super typhoon strikes Philippines with ferocious winds, forcing evacuations
PBS NewsHourNov 29, 2022
The Facts
On Friday, officials announced that more than 31 people have died and nine others are missing following torrential rains that caused flash flooding and landslides in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao.
According to local officials, most of the victims were swept away in the torrential floods and drowned or were hit by mudslide debris that caused destruction across multiple towns.
The Spin
Narrative A
The Philippines' government hasn’t done enough to protect Filipinos while climate change intensifies typhoons. Despite constant disasters, the government has relaxed restrictions on economic activities, especially mining, that make these disasters worse. Filipinos need to elect leaders determined to combat the climate crisis and hold the global north accountable.
Narrative B
The Philippine government has made great strides in preparing for climate change. In 2009, Congress passed the Climate Change Act and developed a roadmap for climate programs — including efforts to bolster infrastructure and protect the Filipino people. While any loss of life is a tragedy, these actions are reducing damage from dangerous storms.