By Juan Manggagawa
In scenes reminiscent of the large scale destruction wrought by Typhoon Ondoy, also named Ketsana, in late 2009 in which 400 died, torrential rains brought widespread flooding in the capital Metro Manila and nearby provinces this month. Almost a million people are affected and some 250,000 forced to evacuate, majority of whom are workers and poor, with 15 deaths already reported.
Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) [Labor Party-Philippines] is appealing for solidarity and assistance to the communities which have been hit by flashfloods. Among the severely hit areas are communities organized by PM located in the working class towns of Marikina, Malabon, Valenzuela, Paranaque, Pasay, Marilao in Bulacan, Bacoor and Rosario in Cavite.
The heavy downpour over more than 24 hours from the afternoon of August 6 to the present was brought by the south-west monsoon and enhanced by Tropical Storm Haikui. The government has already issued the highest level of alert with the warning that landslides may occur in mountainous areas and floods in low-lying areas. The ongoing disaster is no doubt the most recent impact of climate change in the Philippines.
PM is appealing for assistance so it could offer relief at least to the communities is has already organized. Relief assistance would complement the organizing efforts of PM on the basis of urban poor and working class issues, and its urgent advocacy for climate justice and green jobs.