00:00 Egay, the fifth tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, came in July.
00:07 A super typhoon at its peak, Egay packed maximum winds of 185 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 230 km/h.
00:17 While it weakened into a typhoon after hitting land, Egay claimed at least 30 lives.
00:23 Damage to agriculture reached 6 billion pesos, while damage to infrastructure was estimated at 8 billion.
00:30 "It was really heavy because the rains were much, much heavier than we have had in recent times."
00:42 In some instances, even weaker storms may enhance the southwest monsoon, which in turn causes heavy rains.
00:49 Several areas like Bulacan and Pampanga were placed under a state of calamity due to massive flooding caused by the Habagat.
00:57 In Metro Manila, heavy rain and floods resulted in Carmageddon.
01:01 Thousands of families living in low-lying areas were also forced to flee to higher ground.
01:06 In November, a state of calamity was also declared in eastern and northern Samar after a low-pressure area in the shearline brought severe flooding.
01:16 It was also in November when a magnitude 6.8 earthquake rocked Sarangani, Davao Occidental.
01:24 At least nine died while 16 more were injured.
01:28 Thousands of homes and properties were damaged by the quake and its aftershocks.
01:33 A much stronger 7.4 magnitude earthquake rocked Pinatuan, Surigao del Sur in December.
01:40 It killed at least one person in what was considered the strongest tremor in Mindanao in four decades.
01:48 "Every time the ground shakes, we run away because we are near the sea. We are afraid that the aftershock will be a tsunami."
02:00 Authorities closely monitored Mayon Volcano the entire year.
02:04 From alert level 1, it was upgraded to level 2 by June.
02:08 It eventually reached alert level 3 due to increased volcanic activity that could lead to a hazardous eruption.
02:15 Around 3,000 residents inside the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone left their homes and stayed in evacuation centers for months.
02:24 "If only we could, but no. We are the ones who are in danger. If we are in evacuation, it will be difficult."
02:34 Aside from natural disasters, 2023 also witnessed several tragedies.
02:39 In February, MT Princess Empress, a tanker transporting 800,000 liters of industrial oil, capsized off Nauhan, Oriental, Mindoro.
02:49 Efforts to clean the massive oil spill lasted four months, negatively impacting the livelihood of fisheries in the area.
02:56 The Environment Department estimated the damage to coral reefs, seagrasses, mangroves, and fisheries at Php 7 billion.
03:04 Over 30 people, meanwhile, died when MV Mary Joy 3 caught fire off the coast of Basilan while on its way to Hulosulu in March.
