'This is my penitence': Cainta Mayor Nieto on 'Crising' aid

Cainta, Rizal Mayor Keith Nieto said he takes no pride in handing out relief goods during floods, describing it as a form of penitence rather than political performance.

"I've never been so happy to distribute relief goods to flood victims. I feel like it's a consolation for my shortcomings. I disappointed people because I couldn't solve their problem that no matter how hard I try, and even if I try to cover up the weaknesses of my government by giving out food, it's still not enough," Nieto wrote in a Facebook post as Typhoon Crising battered parts of Rizal.

"Sometimes, I just want other people to do it [distributing relief goods] because I'm so ashamed of myself and to the people who are disappointed in my leadership," he added.

Nieto explained that despite the shame and exhaustion, he continues to show up to let his constituents know that he has not abandoned them.

"I need to show up that I'm not lost or has abandoned them. I'm not doing this for politics — this is my penitence," he said.

He also shared that he has sustained injuries while personally wading through floodwaters to deliver aid, including falling into open sewers and ingesting floodwater contaminated with rat urine.

"All the scars and wounds that I got from an accident falling into open sewers and drank floodwater contaminated with rat urine while walking through the flood and distributing relief is just an indication that I have a lot to do and need to suffer. If I die because of that, I'm ready. That's part of my job," Nieto said.

Despite the challenges, the mayor expressed gratitude that his administration's flood mitigation efforts are beginning to show results.

"This is what really makes me happy. Not the distribution of relief goods, but when I face my constituents and read positive feedback from them that they feel something has changed," he said.

"We have done something good for the people and Cainta regarding the floods. Not everything is resolved, but something has changed a lot. We will continue to do this, no matter what happens to us. Get ready for the big ones in 2026, more flood control projects were already laid out," Nieto added.