The year 2026 has been baptized by fire with the arrival of the first tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Named Ada, this weather disturbance serves as a stark reminder that nature respects no season, occasion, or human condition.
A Stormy Start to the New Year
The state weather bureau, PAGASA, officially declared the formation of Tropical Depression Ada on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. This announcement instantly reawakened public anxiety and shifted the nation's focus toward disaster preparedness at the very start of the year. While several areas in the Visayas and Mindanao have already been placed under Storm Signal No. 1, the province of Cebu appears to be guided by a stroke of fortune.
For now, the island is not in the direct path of the storm's eye. This development brings significant relief as the entire province and its capital city are deep in final preparations for the annual feast of the Señor Sto. Niño. However, authorities warn that this relief should not lead to complacency.
Understanding Ada's Threat and Cebu's Precarious Calm
According to the latest PAGASA bulletin, Ada is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 55 kph. Although considered weak compared to super typhoons, forecasters expect the system to intensify into a tropical storm within the next 24 hours.
The critical warning for Cebuanos is that even without a storm signal, the trough or tail of the depression is projected to bring rains over Central Visayas. The public is strongly urged not to let their guard down. Devotees joining the solemn procession of the Holy Child this Saturday and spectators of the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday are advised to carry umbrellas and remain vigilant for changing weather conditions.
A Dual Crisis: Festival Cheer Amidst a Rescue Tragedy
Behind the approaching festivities and the echoing cheers of "Pit Senyor," Cebu confronts another grave challenge. The rescue operation at the Binaliw landfill continues relentlessly. The tragedy, where a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) collapsed under the weight of garbage, has so far claimed 20 lives.
As of now, 16 workers remain missing, trapped under the unstable mound of waste. The situation is critically dangerous for rescue teams, as the soft, garbage-mixed soil remains prone to further landslides. Every drop of rain from Ada's outer bands threatens to slow down the desperate search for the remaining victims, adding a layer of natural threat to the human-made disaster.
The entry of Tropical Depression Ada is a powerful test of the Philippines' resilience and preparedness systems in 2026. It underscores the need for constant vigilance, as the country must balance celebratory traditions with responding to immediate environmental and humanitarian emergencies.
