PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija. An archaeological discovery has unfolded in the Philippines as a nearly 300-year-old settlement, submerged beneath the waters of Pantabangan Dam, has resurfaced amidst a severe drought gripping the region. The unexpected emergence of structures, including remnants of a church, tombstones, and a municipal hall marker, has captured the attention of experts and locals alike.
Marlon Paladin, a supervising engineer for the National Irrigation Administration, revealed that the historic relics began to reappear in March as the scorching heat and prolonged dry spell caused the reservoir’s water levels to plummet. Deliberately inundated during the dam’s construction in the 1970s, the settlement has intermittently resurfaced over the years, but this recent occurrence marks the longest duration of visibility on record.
Paladin noted that the exposed ruins have become a focal point for curious visitors during periods of low water levels, underscoring the intersection of history and natural phenomena.
The Philippines, like much of Southeast Asia, has been grappling with extreme heatwaves, prompting schools to suspend classes as temperatures soar. The blistering conditions, exacerbated by the El Niño climate pattern, have led to heat indices surpassing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas, including the town of Muñoz near the dam.
The severity of the drought, compounded by climate change, has cast a shadow over the region’s future. Climatologist Maximiliano Herrera emphasized the vulnerability of Southeast Asia to the impacts of climate change.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
