flooding

Climate change is of growing public concern and constitutes an important political priority in every nation. The climate of Tropical Asia is dominated by the two monsoons: The summer southwest monsoon influences the climate of the region from May to September, and the winter northeast monsoon controls the climate from November to February. The monsoons bring most of the region's precipitation and are the most critical climatic factor in the provision of drinking water and water for rain-fed and irrigated agriculture.

Rivers are important to farm households as sources of water and food. They also serve as means of transportation from upstream to the coastal areas particularly in marketing farm products. The Center Environmental Concerns-Philippines noted that there are about 421 rivers in the country and 50 of them are currently considered biologically dead particularly those located in highly urbanized areas because of inadequate sewerage system, industrial and domestic waste, and mine tailings.