The local government of Malabon City on Friday, May 23, has implemented proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of Malabueños as the rainy season approaches.

Mayor Jeannie Sandoval recently held talks with the Malabon Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDDRMC), Emergency Response Team, and other agencies during the 2nd Quarter MDDRMC meeting in 2025 to discuss plans for possible flooding in the city’s barangays caused by heavy rains.

Sandoval said that the local government prioritizes the welfare of every family in the city, especially during the rainy season.

“Kaya naman kahit hindi pa dumadating kalamidad, ay nakahanda na po tayo para sa mga operasyon at nagsasagawa ng mga pre-emptive at preventive efforts natin (That is why, even before any calamity arrives, we are already prepared for operations and are implementing pre-emptive and preventive efforts),” Sandoval said.

“Makakasiguro po ang mga residente ng lungsod na una ang kaligtasan ng bawat isa ano man ang panahon (Residents can be sure that their safety comes first, whatever the weather),” she added.

Agencies present during the MDDRMC meeting were the City Social Welfare and Development Department (CSWDD), City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), City Engineering Department (CED), and the Bureau of Fire Protection–Malabon (BFP), among others.

As part of the city’s readiness plan, the MDRRMO said all response teams have been told to check their resources, including human resources, inspect important facilities, stock up on food and supplies, and secure needed equipment.

They will also conduct pre-disaster risk assessments, plan for emergencies and evacuations, and share information to ensure that all facilities are ready and residents know what to do before, during, and after disasters.

It also announced that its Command and Communication Center will be open 24/7 to monitor the situation in the city and help send out needed resources.

This includes monitoring waterways, using roadside cameras and early warning systems, and checking boats and other emergency vehicles.

In each evacuation center, the City Health Department, CSWDD, and barangays will assign health officers to enforce health protocols such as social distancing, sanitation, and waste management. Cleanliness and orderliness will also be strictly maintained in these centers.

The CSWDD said about 4,500 food packs and non-food items are ready for distribution to families in evacuation centers or during relief efforts.

Evacuees will also be provided with their basic needs and health services through the city's mobile laundry, Health Services on Wheels, Lab for All Mobile Clinic, mobile shower and restroom, mobile water station, and mobile charging station.

The CED continues to monitor 48 pumping stations and 120 floodgates across the city to help prevent major flooding, which has the ability to protect residents during the rainy season.

Regular declogging operations of rivers and drainage systems are also being conducted.

Clean-up efforts, including trimming tree branches along roads and waterways to prevent obstructions and help mitigate flooding, are also being conducted by CENRO personnel and Estero Rangers.

Meanwhile, around 20 BFP-Malabon personnel are on standby for rescue operations. Boats, ambulances, fire trucks, and other emergency vehicles have been prepositioned for quick deployment.

City Administrator Dr. Alexander Rosete stated, “Lahat po ng departamento ng pamahalaang lungsod ay nakahanda na para sa pagpasok ng tag-ulan. Noong nakaraang taon ay napaghandaan natin ang mga ito at nakapagsagawa ng mga operasyon na kinakailangan (All city government departments are now prepared for the rainy season. Last year, we were able to prepare for it and carry out the necessary operations).”

“Ngayon po, patuloy [ang] paghikayat natin sa mga pamilya na makipagtulungan sa atin para sa kaligtasan, kaayusan, at kapakanan bago pa man dumating ang bagyo o iba pang kalamidad (Now, we continue to encourage families to cooperate with us for everyone’s safety, order, and well-being even before storms or other calamities arrive),” Rosete added.

For emergencies, Malabueños can call (02) 8-921-6009, (02) 8-921-6029, or use the Malabon AHON 24/7 Alert App to contact the city government.