Quezon City Councilor Alfred Vargas today underscored the necessity of a multi-sectoral approach to bolster Quezon City’s efforts in addressing climate change and enhancing its natural calamity response capabilities.

This comes as key thoroughfares, including G. Araneta Avenue, Banawe Avenue and EDSA, face increasing flood threats.

Vargas, recently appointed chairperson of the City Council’s Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction, stressed that while local government units are at the forefront of disaster response, the responsibility for disaster risk reduction extends beyond just the government.

“The solution to climate change and its effects like flooding should be preventive and requires everyone to get involved — the government, private sector, non-government organizations, communities and more importantly the citizens,” he said.

Vargas’ election as committee chairperson occurs as the Philippines grapples with its status as one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, according to United Nations reports. Vargas, who recently topped his class in the University of the Philippines’ Diploma on Urban and Regional Planning program, is poised to tackle the city’s pressing disaster challenges.

“With so many issues we’re facing like floods and natural disasters, I accept this as a challenge to proactively respond to disasters by mitigating risks and focusing on prevention and preparedness,” Vargas said.

“Climate change and calamities are a big challenge. As chairman of the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction, we will ensure that every community in Quezon City is more prepared and safer,” he added.

Vargas’ new role builds on Mayor Joy Belmonte’s climate initiatives, which have positioned Quezon City as a leader in sustainability.