Why in news?
Scientists raised alarms that Pugad, a small island in the Philippines’ Bulacan province, is subsiding rapidly while sea levels around it rise three times faster than the global average. Without intervention, parts of the island may be inundated, endangering its 2,500 residents.
What is Pugad?
Pugad is a seven‑hectare island located in Manila Bay at the mouth of the Angat–Pampanga River Delta. It is densely populated, and most inhabitants depend on fishing and aquaculture.
Problems facing the island
- Land subsidence: Groundwater over‑extraction and soil compaction are causing the island to sink by about 11 cm each year — one of the fastest rates in the Philippines.
- Sea‑level rise: Sea levels in the Philippines are rising around 3.6 mm per year and could accelerate to 13 mm per year, outpacing the global average.
- Loss of mangroves: Conversion of mangroves to fishponds has removed natural barriers that once protected the island from waves and storm surges.
- Climate hazards: Frequent floods, typhoons and storm surges threaten lives and livelihoods.
Broader context – The Philippines
The Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,000 islands situated in the western Pacific Ocean. It has a long coastline, numerous mountains and volcanoes, and a tropical climate that makes it vulnerable to typhoons and flooding. As sea‑level rise accelerates and land subsidence continues, low‑lying communities like Pugad face existential risks unless steps are taken to restore mangroves, regulate groundwater extraction and plan for relocation.