If the nation’s premier metropolis stays on its current path, it risks becoming a cautionary tale of climate neglect by 2050 — unlivable, flood-prone, and bogged down by decades of short-term fixes.

At a recent Kapihan sa Manila Hotel, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) issued an urgent call to rethink how we deal with climate change and flooding, and to work now toward an integrated, climate-smart approach for sustainable urban living.

CCC Commissioner Albert P. Dela Cruz Sr. put it bluntly when he said: “Climate change is no longer a distant threat. We need bold policies and consistent implementation to protect our people and our cities.”

Other Kapihan guests were Socorro Alicia “Cory” Quirino, national director of Miss Environment Philippines 2025, who stressed the role of education and awareness in mobilizing the youth; and Climate Change Ambassador Torres-Ackerman who highlighted the importance of advocacy and citizen engagement in pushing for climate-responsive policies.

“Empowering young Filipinos to become advocates for the planet ensures that the message of sustainability reaches every household,” Ms. Quirino said, explaining how beauty pageants and cultural platforms can serve as vehicles for promoting environmental responsibility.

Ambassador Torres-Ackerman said that climate action is not just the task of government but requires the active involvement of communities, private institutions, and international partners. “We need a whole-of-society approach if we want to secure a safer future.”

The messages at the Kapihan captured the heart of the crisis, as well as the opportunity facing Metro Manila today. For years, flood control efforts in the metropolis have focused on dredging rivers and esteros, erecting walls along waterways, putting up pumping stations. While necessary, such measures are also symptomatic of a reactive rather than proactive mindset.

Flooding is not just a matter of rainfall and drainage. It is also about land use, waste management, housing policies, and even transport systems. When green spaces are replaced by malls, or when waterways are clogged by various waste materials, no amount of pumping stations can effectively deal with floodwaters.

As former head of the Metro Manila Commission, forerunner of the Metro Manila Development Authority, I’m a strong believer in the need to complement traditional infrastructure with green solutions such as permeable pavements, restored wetlands, and urban forests that absorb water naturally.

These “soft” defenses don’t just mitigate floods; they improve air quality, reduce heat in urban areas, and create more livable neighborhoods. But infrastructure alone will not be enough. What’s needed is consistency, and a shift from reactive, election-cycle projects to long-term climate governance.

The whole-of-society approach means everyone has a role: local governments that enforce zoning laws and protect waterways; businesses that reduce their carbon footprint; communities that practice waste segregation and disaster preparedness; schools that teach environmental literacy; and households that adopt sustainable habits.

Of course, we Filipinos already understand the problem. We’ve lived through persistent Habagat rains, Ondoy, and countless typhoons. We’ve seen how disastrous floodwaters don’t discriminate — they swallow shanties and mansions alike. But here’s the hard truth: What’s missing is collective urgency.

Ambassador Torres-Ackerman is right: government cannot do it alone. But when people act together, when citizens demand accountability, when private firms invest in sustainable solutions, when civil society keeps pushing on, climate action becomes more than a slogan. It becomes a movement.

Winning hearts and minds is the goal of Miss Environment Philippines, and Ms. Quirino’s message is compelling. Beauty pageants and culture can amplify advocacy. When beauty queens speak about climate resilience or champion zero-waste living, the message reaches audiences who might otherwise tune out political talk.

Indeed, education and storytelling can be as transformative as technology. They inspire empathy, spark creativity, and change behavior — all essential ingredients for any lasting solution.

Metro Manila, home to more than 14 million people, is in the midst of rapid urbanization and escalating climate risk. The National Capital Region contributes a large share of the country’s GDP, yet it also bears the brunt of floods, heat waves, and pollution. The cost of inaction can be staggering — not just in pesos lost, but in lives disrupted.

If nothing changes for the better, experts warn that large portions of the metropolis could experience worst flooding by mid-century, especially in low-lying areas of Malabon, Navotas, Manila, Pasig, and parts of Quezon City. And heat indices will continue to climb, straining energy systems and public health.

But the opposite is also possible. With decisive action, Metro Manila could emerge as a model of climate resilience in Southeast Asia — a metropolis that adapts to rainwater, that builds upward and “greenward.”

For Metro Manila to remain livable by 2050, there is need to invest in people as much as in projects. There is need to strengthen institutions, enforce environmental laws, and foster a culture of stewardship.

Bold leadership, decisive action, and civic participation are the paths forward. Metro Manila’s future, and that of generations yet to come, depends on the choices we make and actions we take today. ([email protected])