As a columnist for quite some time for the DAILY TRIBUNE, you can say that I may have developed an eye for trends based on the time the year, which is also dependent on the election cycle. Right now, we are nearing the President’s first State of the Nation Address (SoNA) after the midterm elections, and arguably, this interim period from May to July is the most tumultuous one since 2022, with the talks of impeachment trials and dead bodies in Taal Lake in everyday news.

At the same time, the rainy season in the country has started with a number of low-pressure areas (LPAs) cropping up left and right, with more on the way. These typhoons are a constant, yet fierce, reminder of how fragile life can be in the Philippines. Just last week, torrential downpours triggered massive flooding in the southern parts of Metro Manila, turning the daily commute into a nightmare that stretched into the early morning hours.

Metro Manila, home to over 14 million people, has become more vulnerable to climate-related disasters. From waist-deep floodwaters that damage vehicles and homes, to the increasing unpredictability of traffic and transit systems, urban life is under siege during the rainy months. And for ordinary working Filipinos — especially those without private transport — this is a recurring reality.

With the President’s SoNA nearing, we hope that there would be less indirect messaging on politics and more on policy directives on measures that would improve the lives of Filipinos. As someone from the insurance industry, I always hope that policy directives on the importance and value of insurance may be heard from the top of the government ladder.

It is a challenge that insurance penetration in the Philippines is still low. According to the Insurance Commission — the government office at the forefront of insurance advocacy — only a fraction of Filipinos have life insurance or property coverage. Some see insurance as an unnecessary expense, rather than a form of protection. But if there is anything these recent floods have shown us, it is that calamity does not discriminate. Whether you live in an upscale condo or a flood-prone barangay, disasters impact everyone, just in different ways.

Take the case of motor vehicle owners in Metro Manila. With roads resembling rivers after just a few hours of rainfall, cars are vulnerable to engine failure and water damage. Without comprehensive motor insurance, repair costs could run into hundreds of thousands of pesos — an amount that could easily set a middle-class household back.

Even more pressing is the need for personal accident and health insurance. Flash floods and slippery roads have already caused minor injuries and even deaths this year. For daily wage earners and gig workers who depend on each day’s income, even a short-term hospital stay could spell disaster.

Insurance should be viewed not as an added cost, but as a buffer for uncertainty. It enables families to bounce back from disaster with dignity, rather than drown in debt or despair. As urban living becomes more fast-paced and unpredictable, Filipinos — especially those in the metro — must begin seeing insurance as a smart and responsible investment.

The time to act is now, before the next storm hits. In a country as disaster-prone as the Philippines, preparing for the worst is not pessimism — it’s prudence.

A final note, our insurance company, Milestone Guaranty, celebrated its 63rd Anniversary last 9 July where we also had our office blessing in our new address at BGC. Our fingers are crossed for the President to mention anything substantive on “insurance” in his 2025 SoNA.