On the night of July 8, I slept soundly, unaware of the upheaval that awaited me the next morning. When I woke early on July 9, I was surprised to learn that classes were cancelled. Glancing outside, the weather appeared calm—no signs of rain or storm clouds. This initially made me skeptical, wondering if this was another premature or miscalculated decision by our provincial government. However, my curiosity pushed me to check news reports from Metro Manila and nearby Cavite. What I saw shocked me: images of neighbor-hoods submerged in chest-deep floodwaters.
Our community in Bacoor sits on relatively higher ground compared to places like Zapote, which is notorious for flooding even during sudden heavy rains. This stark contrast revealed the gravity of the flooding crisis in nearby areas and underscored the vulnerability of many communities. Flooding during the rainy season is, unfortunately, a recurring challenge in the Philippines. It is something many Filipinos have come to expect, yet it never ceases to disrupt lives and livelihoods.
What made this particular incident especially striking was the backdrop of President Marcos’s announcements about the government’s multi-billion peso investments in flood control projects. Many netizens expressed disbelief and frustration, questioning how such severe flooding could still occur despite these efforts. This raises a crucial point: infrastructure alone cannot solve the problem.
The reality is that our approach to natural disasters tends to be reactive rather than proactive. We often wait for calamities to strike before mobilizing resources or taking precautions. This mentality must shift if we are to effectively mitigate the impact of floods and other emergencies. Flood control is not just about building dams, levees, or drainage systems. It requires a holistic approach that includes community awareness, proper urban planning, and environmental stewardship.
Drainage systems need regular maintenance to prevent clogging, illegal constructions that block waterways must be removed, and reforestation efforts should be intensified to reduce surface runoff. Local governments should enhance early warning systems and improve coordination with residents to ensure timely evacuations and minimize harm.
But these efforts cannot succeed without community involvement.
As residents of flood-prone areas, we share the responsibility to stay informed and prepared. This means having emergency kits ready, knowing evacuation routes, and actively participating in community drills. Collaboration between government agencies, civil society, and citizens is essential to building resilience against floods and other disasters.
This recent flooding incident brought to mind the biblical story of Noah’s Ark and the movie Waterworld starring Kevin Costner—both cautionary tales about the devastating power of water. While I hope such extreme events never happen here, this experience is a sobering reminder that we must all do our part. Supporting government initiatives, advocating for sustainable policies, and fostering a culture of preparedness are vital steps toward reducing the impact of flooding and safeguarding our communities for the future. ||
