QC gathers expertsfor flood summit

The local government of Quezon City hosted the QC Flood Summit 2025 this week, gathering experts from science, engineering, urban planning and disaster resilience sectors to address the city’s persistent flood challenges.

Organized by the QC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) under the theme “Rising Above Floods: Building Resilient Cities,” the summit focused on implementing science-driven forecasting, ensuring accountable infrastructure, and designing future-ready urban spaces.

Mayor Joy Belmonte used her welcome remarks to criticize the over-reliance on citizen endurance, stressing the city’s commitment to building a resilient city through tangible programs.

“Counting on our people’s resilience is no longer an option,” Belmonte said. “They deserve long-term solutions. We must therefore intensify our efforts and strengthen our systems so they can better support our communities in the years ahead.”

Technical discussions underscored that improving early warning systems is a critical priority for flood-prone urban areas, stressing the need for more accessible tools, user-friendly hazard maps and capacity-building programs.

Participants pointed out a key gap between national hazard forecasts and local decision-making, noting that class suspensions and pre-disaster mobilization often require action hours before hazards peak, when forecasts still carry uncertainty.

To address this, experts recommended aligning protocols between agencies, improving communication channels and institutionalizing forecast-based action to enhance local readiness.

Beyond warning systems, the summit highlighted the urgent need for stronger accountability in infrastructure development. Panelists acknowledged public frustration over failed flood control projects and called for a shift away from fragmented, contractor-driven interventions toward basin-wide planning informed by hydrology and environmental science.

The summit also featured insights from representatives of major bodies including PAGASA, the Philippine Space Agency, the UP Resilience Institute, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, alongside professionals from civil engineering and architectural groups.

Urban planners and architects further encouraged the city to integrate people-centered design and inclusive development in future projects, extending resilience goals to broader livability and sustainability.

The Quezon City Government affirmed that all recommendations from the Flood Summit 2025 will be integrated into its ongoing efforts for drainage modernization, floodplain management, and climate adaptation planning.