The City Government of Valenzuela, led by Mayor WES Gatchalian, held the "PANATAG: Valenzuela's Flood Control Resilience Initiatives" summit on August 23, 2025 at the ALERT Multi-purpose Center Hall in Barangay Malinta, bringing together local officials, experts, and community representatives to present the city's comprehensive flood mitigation strategies and long-term plans against recurring disasters.

The summit was organized in the wake of the successive onslaught of Typhoons Crising, Dante, Emong, and the enhanced habagat which battered northern and central Luzon in July. These weather disturbances triggered days of heavy rainfall that submerged many low-lying areas of Valenzuela, displaced thousands of residents, and prompted the declaration of a state of calamity by the City Council through Resolution No. 3503, Series of 2025.

Given its geographical location as a low-lying area intersected by creeks and drainage lines, Valenzuela has long been vulnerable to flooding. To address this challenge, the City Government showcased both community-driven and infrastructure-based solutions during the summit.

Highlighted initiatives included Tinig ng Barangay, launched in August as a venue for residents to directly raise flood concerns to Mayor Gatchalian; the Task Force Kalinisan and Oplan Balik Linis Ganda, which led large-scale cleanups of drainage systems and waterways; and the continued expansion and rehabilitation of the city's pumping stations, strategically located in flood-prone barangays such as Balangkas, Poblacion, Polo, Isla, Wawang Pulo, Coloong, and Marulas.

The city also presented its investment in major infrastructure projects such as the Panatag Water Catchment along MacArthur Highway in Barangay Dalandanan, the first of its kind in Valenzuela, designed to capture floodwaters and reduce the impact of heavy rainfall on one of the city's busiest thoroughfares. Mayor WES also signed Executive Order No. 2025-190, creating the Valenzuela City Flood Control Advisory Council, which brings together various departments to oversee and sustain all flood mitigation programs.

In addition, Valenzuela strengthened its partnerships with national agencies and the private sector through a joint cleanup and dredging operation of 11 priority waterways with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), NLEX Corporation, and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The operation, which began earlier this month, removed thousands of cubic meters of garbage and debris from creeks that had long worsened flooding during the rainy season.

A highlight of the summit was the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on August 22 between the City Government and the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute and NOAH Center, led by UP president Atty. Angelo Jimenez and UPRI Executive Director Dr. Mahar Lagmay. The agreement formalized the formulation of the Urban Drainage Master Plan for Valenzuela City, a comprehensive blueprint that would guide the city's science-based, long-term flood control strategy.

Mayor WES Gatchalian emphasized his commitment to flood mitigation saying "Sisiguraduhin natin na kalidad ang gagamitin sa ating flood control projects, at hindi substandard. Hindi ito negosyo, ito ay para sa ikapapanatag ng bawat Pamilyang Valenzuelano. Long term solution, hindi band-aid solutions. Kasama kayo sa solusyon."

The event gathered city officials, barangay leaders, private sector partners, and members of the academe who all expressed support for the city's continuing flood control and resilience efforts.

Through the Panatag Flood Summit, Valenzuela City underscored that resilience is possible when communities, government, and institutions work together to overcome long-standing challenges and prepare for the future.

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