The Valenzuela City government launched the “PANATAG: Valenzuela’s Flood Control Resilience Initiatives,” a comprehensive plan to strengthen flood resilience, highlighting science-based solutions, community participation, and strong partnerships with national agencies and academic institutions.

Mayor Weslie “WES” Gatchalian led the summit at the ALERT Multi-purpose Center Hall in Barangay Malinta, on Saturday, Aug. 23, where local officials, experts, and residents came together to address the city’s long-standing flooding problem.

The city’s Public Information Office (PIO), said that the summit was followed by weeks of heavy rains from Typhoons Crising, Dante, and Emong, and the enhanced southwest monsoon battered northern and central Luzon, causing widespread flooding in Valenzuela.

The deluge displaced thousands of families and prompted the City Council to declare a state of calamity through Resolution No. 3503, Series of 2025.

Gatchalian acknowledged the city’s longstanding vulnerability to floods due to its low-lying geography intersected by creeks and drainage lines.

He said the summit served as a platform to present community-driven programs and infrastructure solutions aimed at long-term resilience.

Among the initiatives presented were the Tinig ng Barangay, which allows residents to directly report flood-related concerns to the mayor; the Task Force Kalinisan and Oplan Balik Linis Ganda, which spearhead large-scale cleanups of waterways; and the expansion of pumping stations in flood-prone areas such as Balangkas, Poblacion, Polo, Isla, Wawang Pulo, Coloong, and Marulas.

The city also introduced major projects, including the Panatag Water Catchment along MacArthur Highway in Barangay Dalandanan, designed to absorb floodwaters and ease the impact of heavy rains on the busy thoroughfare.

During the event, Gatchalian signed Executive Order No. 2025-190, creating the Valenzuela City Flood Control Advisory Council, which will oversee all flood mitigation programs.

The city has also partnered with national agencies and the private sector for a joint cleanup and dredging operation in 11 priority waterways. The project, carried out with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), NLEX Corporation, and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), has already removed thousands of cubic meters of waste and debris that worsened flooding in past rainy seasons.

During the event, the city government also signed the Memorandum of Agreement with the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute (UPRI) and the NOAH Center.

The partnership was led by UP President Atty. Angelo Jimenez and UPRI Executive Director Dr. Mahar Lagmay, will produce the Urban Drainage Master Plan for Valenzuela City, a science-based blueprint for the city’s long-term flood control strategy.

Gatchalian vowed that the city’s flood control efforts will prioritize quality and sustainability over temporary fixes.

“Sisiguraduhin natin na kalidad ang gagamitin sa ating flood control projects, at hindi substandard. Hindi ito negosyo, ito ay para sa ikapapanatag ng bawat Pamilyang Valenzuelano. Long term solution, hindi band-aid solutions. Kasama kayo sa solusyon (We will make sure that only quality materials are used in our flood control projects, not substandard ones. This is not a business—it is for the peace of mind of every Valenzuelano family. These are long-term solutions, not band-aid measures. You are part of the solution),” he said.

The event was attended by the city officials, barangay leaders, private partners, and members of the academe to express support for the city’s flood control initiatives, stressing that resilience can be achieved through collaboration among communities, government, and institutions.