Angelita Carrion Villaflor, 73 years old, works as a volunteer public health worker. As a Barangay Health Worker (BHW), she sees the problems that people face due to climate change — how it affects our lives, especially seniors and those with disabilities.
What has climate change done here?
The surroundings of our house, which has been submerged in water for a month now due to high tide, have remained flooded. I moved to this house in 2002, so we’ve been here for 22 years. In the beginning, our situation wasn’t like this. It’s only in the last 10 years or so that it’s been this way; whenever there’s a high tide, this is what happens.
High tide actually occurs every year, especially during this season when the rainy period is starting. It’s become a part of our lives here in Hagonoy. It comes and goes, but even if people say that residents of Hagonoy are used to flooding, it’s still challenging when it happens daily during high tide. My work as a volunteer often requires me to be outside. As a Barangay Health Worker, high tide affects me. For example, when distributing health medicines, if there’s a high tide, we can’t reach our constituents right away. It’s truly a barrier for me.
What do you think world leaders have to do now to stop things from getting worse and to help us adapt?
I would say to our world leaders to give the proper attention to whatever actions they can take to address climate change. That’s probably the main message I would send — to give it proper attention. I hope they give attention to finding solutions or ways to help the global community cope with the effects of climate change.
Life expectancy 2023
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