By Monchi Ampil

On May 8, 2025, NLEX Corporation hosted its first-ever Flood Mitigation Forum at the UP Hotel in UP Diliman, bringing together key stakeholders from national and local government units to address the persistent challenge of flooding in Metro Manila and surrounding areas.

The event convened representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), and experts from the UP National Hydraulic Research Center and AMH Philippines. Local government units (LGUs) in attendance included the cities of Quezon, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Manila, and Meycauayan, as well as the municipalities of Obando and Marilao, and the Bulacan Provincial Government.

The forum aimed to foster collaboration and coordination among agencies and communities in crafting long-term and sustainable flood mitigation strategies.

“Flooding is a complex issue, and we at NLEX Corporation take our role seriously in ensuring the unhampered flow of people and goods,” said Jennifer Jane Go, NLEX VP for Asset Management. “Through this forum, we hope to work closely with neighboring LGUs and partner agencies to develop collective, community-driven solutions.”

One of the forum’s key takeaways was the identification of solid waste management as a critical factor contributing to flooding. Participants emphasized that keeping waterways clean is one of the most immediate and effective measures communities can take.

Both national agencies and local government units, together with our Asset Management Department, shared best practices, insights, and feasible solutions to help mitigate flooding in their respective communities, as part of the activity in the said forum

By the end of the forum, participants pledged to clean major waterways ahead of the rainy season (even signed our pledge commitment board), recognizing the urgency of proactive action. They also committed to sharing vital information with their communities and to strengthening coordination with LGUs and national agencies to ensure effective and sustained implementation.

The Inter-agency Flood Mitigation Forum 2025 marks just the beginning of a broader, long-term initiative. As the next step, participants will reconvene in the coming months to track progress, assess outcomes, and collaboratively refine the next phases of implementation—working toward sustainable, scalable solutions to the persistent challenge of flooding.

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