Tropical Storm Trami had devastated many regions in the Philippines. Citizens have been increasingly moving to areas known to be more dangerous due to economic concerns. These people are not only suffering from the complete devastation of their towns, but also the uncertainty of their futures.

Villager watching rescue operations after landslide triggered by Tropical Storm Trami on Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

All over the world people are dealing with intensified weather due to climate change, however the effects of this are hard to miss in the small Philippine town of Talisay. The Philippines are not new to environmental catastrophies. Their islands are situated between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean as well as being located in the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” It is named this due to its close proximity to techtonic plates and its many active volcanoes in the area. This location means that the islands are vulnerable to typhoons, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes. Despite this, the people have known which areas are safest for them to settle and which ones they should avoid, allowing them to survive on these islands for generations.

The focus of this article was on Talisay, a small lakeside resort town in the northeastern Philippines. It is located only 43 miles south of the capital, Manila and set up to attract tourist attention. It was built on one of the country’s most active volcanoes because of its fertile land which has made it appealing for tourism. After Tropical Storm Trami hit the Philippines in October of this year, Talisay suffered a major landslide which devastated the town and killed many. 

The economy of the Philippines is predominantly focused on funneling money from other countries into their country. To do this, they encourage their citizens to find work in other countries to earn money in hopes of them sending money back to their families. They also encourage those who have moved abroad to return after retirement. This has caused the difference between the wealthy and the poor to grow. This socioeconomic difference between citizens, paired with the modernization of the Philippines is what has lead its people to move to these areas, previously known for being dangerous, in hopes of making money through tourism and not being able to afford to live in the cities. Following the devastation, towns people are conflicted on what their future holds. They know that relocating will be safer, however their is so much uncertainty on if they would be able to find a job after relocating, which is necessary to survive. They are torn between continuing to live in a dangerous area because they know they can make money to survive or trying to live somewhere safe in a place with few job opportunities.