THE PHILIPPINE ISLAND OF PUGAD STRUGGLES WITH INCREASING TIDAL FLOODING

On Pugad Island in Bulacan, rising tides and land subsidence caused by groundwater overextraction and climate change are flooding homes and disrupting daily life for its 2,500 residents.

Locals like street vendor Maria Tamayo spend hours each day removing seawater from their homes, while schools adjust schedules to avoid flood risks.

The island is sinking at one of the fastest rates in the Philippines, worsened by sea levels rising three times faster than the global average.

Despite some local efforts to ban groundwater extraction and raise roads, long-term national strategies to address the problem are still pending.

Experts warn that without global climate action and stronger local policies, coastal communities like Pugad face a future under threat.

Source: PhilNews24 | September 12, 2025