Senator Loren Legarda warns of climate health crisis

Citing a landmark international report linking over 70% of record heat-related deaths worldwide to human-caused climate change, Senator Loren Legarda has called for urgent measures to strengthen the country's climate resilience and safeguard public health.

Legarda stressed that the findings of the 2026 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change underscore the necessity of treating climate change as a direct public health emergency rather than solely an environmental issue.

Released on October 28, the Lancet report urged formal global recognition of climate change as a health emergency.

It revealed that heat-related fatalities reached 710,000 worldwide in 2023, with more than 70% directly attributable to human-induced global warming.

“Akala ng iba na ang climate change ay environmental issue lamang — hindi. Matagal ko nang sinasabing ang pagbabago ng klima ay usapin din ng kalusugan at buhay,” Legarda said. “May mga sakit na nakukuha dahil sa matinding pagbaha — nariyan ang leptospirosis at dengue. Gayundin, kapag sobrang init, lumalala rin ang panganib ng mga komplikasyon sa altapresyon at heatstroke. Ang greenhouse gas emissions at pagkapal ng smog ay nagdudulot ng polusyon sa hangin na siya namang nagdudulot ng sakit sa baga tulad ng ubo at hika. Kaya naman ang pagpapaliban sa aksyon ay pagpapalawig ng banta sa kalusugan at buhay ng mamamayan.”

The study further estimated that air pollution from fossil fuels causes approximately 2.73 million deaths globally each year, highlighting the critical need for stricter emission controls.

Legarda pointed to key legislative measures to address these challenges, including the Philippine Clean Air Act (Republic Act No. 8749), alongside her filed Low Carbon Economy Act and Philippine Circular Economy Promotion Act in the 20th Congress.

Economic Toll and El Niño Readiness

Beyond the human cost, the report highlighted severe economic repercussions, estimating that extreme heat resulted in $1.07 trillion in lost potential income globally in 2025. Southeast Asia was among the hardest-hit regions, suffering economic losses equivalent to 3.9% of its gross domestic product.

These findings come as the Philippines braces for the impact of a strong to very strong El Niño. In an October 21 advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that the weather phenomenon could persist into the first half of 2027, threatening water supply and food security.

In response, Legarda filed Senate Resolution No. 733 to audit government readiness and funding for a potential Super El Niño. She also unveiled a 10-point policy action plan focused on protecting vulnerable communities, securing water resources, mitigating extreme heat risks, and safeguarding health and livelihoods.

“Sa isang Super El Niño, unang naaapektuhan ang ating mga magsasaka, manggagawa, at mga pamilyang hirap na sa pang-araw-araw,” Legarda emphasized. “Kaya dapat ngayon pa lang, tiyaking may sapat na tubig, pagkain, at serbisyong pangkalusugan ang ating mga komunidad. Kailangan ang maagang paghahanda, hindi kapag malala na ang sitwasyon. Ito ang nais kong isulong sa aking 10-point Policy Action Plan for Super El Niño.”

The senator also stressed the urgency of strengthening disease surveillance, early warning systems, and preventive health interventions tailored for climate-aggravated illnesses.

Legarda is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 9729 (Climate Change Act of 2009), co-author and principal sponsor of the People’s Survival Fund Act (RA 10174), and co-sponsor of the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act (RA 10121).

Global Commitments Ahead of COP31

With the Lancet Countdown report preceding the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, set for November 9 to 20, 2026, Legarda urged world leaders to commit to bolder climate actions, specifically aggressive reductions in greenhouse gases and air pollutants.

Legarda, who serves as a United Nations Global Champion for Resilience, maintained that international pledges must translate into concrete improvements in public health services, disaster preparedness, and frontline community protection.

“May mga batas na tayo at mga kasunduang pinagtibay sa mga pandaigdigang pagpupulong. Ang kailangan ay maipatupad ang mga ito nang maayos at maramdaman ng ating mga kababayan,” Legarda concluded. “Dapat handa ang ating mga health center, may maagang babala, at may sapat na suporta ang mga komunidad. Hindi natin kailangang hintaying mas marami pang magkasakit o mawalan ng buhay bago kumilos.”

-Paraluman News