Rain check this June

Rain check this June | Daily Tribune

What’s happened, dear readers? I know, it’s raining, right?

Yes, it’s that time of year again when we take our umbrellas and slippers to work. Hey, June don’t make it bad! Rainy days are ahead of us now — that means sopas and champorado with tuyo is back on the menu for merienda. Rainy day blues and senti music in the background with hot chocolate and a warm blanket would be ideal for the bed weather. Stay safe, folks, especially in this habagat season.

Speaking of the weather, congratulations to Secretary Vince Dizon for braving the rains at the Commission on Appointments and being confirmed as head of the Department of Transportation. Kudos for being a man of action when it comes to our transportation needs. We all wish that the public transport system is also ready for the rainy season, especially for the commuting public.

When it comes to sea travel during rains, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard and Marina are working together to keep the seafaring public safe from the strong winds and waves. In fact, the PPA has been ready for the rainy days since it has been prioritizing port modernization and climate resilience and environmental sustainability since 2016.

Under the leadership of general manager Jay Santiago, the PPA has doubled down to ensure that Philippine ports remain operational even during the worst of the monsoon months. It’s a strategy rooted not in reaction, but in preparation. Preventive maintenance, upgraded drainage systems, and rapid response mechanisms have become standard practice. In fact, more than 12 million trees and mangroves have been planted near all port facilities nationwide to prepare for the rainy days and flooding.

When the ferries are grounded and travelers are stranded, the PPA goes beyond logistics to provide lugaw to the passengers, called PPAlugaw. It is a simple gesture for the passengers’ comfort despite the natural weather disturbances — an extra TLC to show care during the cold weather when passengers cannot push through with their trips. Ports may move goods from one place to another, but they move people as well — moving them to remember the kindness despite the situations that cannot be controlled.

This kind of foresight and compassion should be the norm, not the exception, across all government agencies. Transportation, after all, is not merely about roads, runways, or docks. It’s about ensuring movement, safety, and continuity even when the skies are crying and the streets are all soaked and flooded.

Well, that is just one of the many government agencies now prepared for the rainy days. I’m sure others have made their own preparations as well. May this also be a call to action to take care of our Planet Earth. From cleaning up the coastlines to getting the roads ready before the floods, reducing the use of plastic, and segregating trash, these all contribute to the strength of each community, especially during rainy days.

No matter how strong our infrastructure is and no matter how many trees each government agency plants, it all boils down to the shared responsibility of each Filipino so we can weather any challenge ahead.

We need forward thinking leaders and strong systems that serve both the present and future generations through whatever kind of weather. After all, we are all in the same boat (hopefully not the rescue boat)!