AKLAN’S SEA LEVELS RISE

By Carl J M. Prada, The Aklan Collegian

The long-term effects of man-made global warming has caught up with Aklan’s progressing
province, and like many others, the rising sea levels slowly take toll, especially to coastal low-
lying areas in the province in a 2022 Report.

The Province of Aklan, situated south of the Sibuyan Sea, is home to many bright and colorful
places, and events such as the Ati-atihan Festivals held in its municipalities, the white sands of
Boracay, to the highest peaks of Madi-ac Peak of Mount Madja-as, but it’s also prone to flooding
from the uncontrollable and enhanced storms and hurricanes that pass by the province each
year, followed by a rise of diseases.

In a March 2022 Report on Meter Sea Level Rise, the National Government Portal of the
Province of Aklan released the sea level rises report in coastal-low lying areas in the
Municipality of Makato, and New Washington with indications of flood reaching ankle-deep
flooding, around 0.1m to 0.025m, to story-deep water, roughly about 3m to 4.1m high, enough
to sink houses around nine (9) feet tall or more.

These indication of climate changes pose grave effects to the province’s crop production and
livestock, and pose a great risk for transmission of water- and vector-borne diseases. Makato
alone ranks first in copra production, with 2,770 metric tons produced per year according the
NGP of the Province of Aklan, and Malay having sixty (60) dengue cases from January 1st to
August 18th, 2022.

Although sea levels slowly rise in the province, many organizations and volunteers are joining
hands in mitigating the effects of climate changes, like powerhouse projects such as Bakhawan
Eco- Park and Katunggan it Ibajay, large mangrove reforestation projects in Aklan, government
organizations such as National Youth Commissions, which is organizing One1Visayas Summit,
with the theme of “ASEAN Youth in Climate Action and Disaster Resilience: Sangguniang
Kabataan at the Forefront of Climate Action Resilience” currently hosted by the Province of
Aklan, and personalities such as Miss Eco International and Youth Goodwill Ambassador,
Kathleen Paton holding coastal clean-up drives help awareness to the ongoing climate situation
—

"Now more than ever, everyone must be environmentally conscious to take actions to change
daily habits to reduce carbon footprint. It’s time for accountability within ourselves.”, Kathleen
Paton.