Every year, cities from all across the country face the challenge of mitigating disaster risks amid worsening global climate conditions. It is my mandate as mayor of the City of San Juan, president of the Metro Manila Council, and national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines to maximize government efforts to partner with the private sector to ensure the safety of Filipinos.

San Juan City is not exempt from the effects of these natural calamities as heavy rains continue to pour especially during the Southwest monsoon season. Yet despite the heavy downpour from Aug. 5 to 9, our preparations helped keep flooding in the city to a minimum, with no reported evacuations even in our low-lying areas.

On Aug. 10, when the rain continued to pour heavily and persistently, flood levels rose, but they were no longer as high as what we experienced in the past. We have seen significant improvements, but we also recognize the work that still needs to be done.

This was not the result of a single intervention. It was the product of months of dredging, sustained drainage cleaning and waste management programs all throughout the city.

We launched our search for the Cleanest Barangay, with the winner receiving ₱200,000, the 1st runner-up receiving ₱100,000 and the 2nd runner-up receiving ₱50,000, to encourage communities to work together and strengthen their environmental awareness and initiatives. We also amended our local ordinance to increase the penalty for improper waste disposal to ₱5,000, regardless of whether it is a first, second or third offense, as a deterrent. Through a resolution of the Metro Manila Council, we have encouraged similar efforts across the National Capital Region. But no government program can succeed without the discipline and genuine sense of stewardship of our communities. We are fortunate to have citizens who heed our calls and actively help us keep our waterways clean.

Still, preparation for the next disaster cannot stop with immediate response and routine maintenance. We must also address the long-term causes that contribute to flooding. Waste management is one of these challenges. As our cities continue to grow, we need solutions that are sustainable.

In my capacity as president of the Metro Manila Council, I have welcomed dialogues on alternative waste management methods, including the possibility of converting waste to energy. We are currently reviewing proposals and studying this technology to determine how it can be responsibly and effectively adapted to our cities’ needs.

Building resilience means investing not only in infrastructure, but also in our people and our environment.

Under our Makabagong San Juan administration, we continue to pursue projects to strengthen the city’s long-term flood resilience. We are constructing a new pumping station along F. Manalo Street in Barangay Batis and another one near the San Juan River. We have also purchased mobile pumps that can be deployed to different locations depending on necessity.

With the help of the national government, we are improving our drainage systems in various barangays. I have also met with my colleagues from other local government units in Metro Manila to discuss how we can consolidate our efforts as an interconnected region, because disaster preparedness and response cannot stop at city boundaries.

Resilience must also begin at home.

Last Aug. 12, we started distributing Emergency Go Bags to District 1 barangays, with District 2 following the day after. Each Go Bag contains basic survival items such as a hard hat, waterproof poncho, rechargeable flashlight, power bank, basic disaster preparedness handbook, and first aid kit. Our goal is to provide these to all 45,000 San Juan households by the first quarter of 2027. We continue to strengthen disaster preparedness in San Juan, making it a constant part of how we protect our communities, not just a response when a storm is approaching.

We are privileged to have a strong and mutually beneficial partnership with the private sector. I want to express my gratitude to Mr. Ramon Ang and San Miguel Corporation for their assistance in dredging the San Juan River, Maytunas Creek, and Ermitaño Creek at no cost to the city under Oplan Kontra Baha of our Bagong Pilipinas Administration. Our continued partnership with SMC, together with the support of the national government and the cooperation of our local communities, proves that we can better serve our people when we work hand-in-hand.

The challenges brought about by climate change remind us that resilience cannot be built by one city or one institution alone. It requires sustained preparation, responsible citizenship, strong partnerships, and investments that will protect our communities for years to come. This is the responsibility we share as local governments: to prepare before disaster strikes, protect our people when it does, and build a nation where no Filipino is left behind.