NLEX Corporation took the lead in addressing one of the country’s most pressing rainy season challenges by organizing the Inter-agency Flood Mitigation Forum 2025, bringing together national agencies, LGUs, and experts to find long-term, sustainable solutions to flooding.
Held with the goal of fostering stronger collaboration, the forum convened officials from Quezon City, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Manila, Meycauayan, Obando, Marilao, and Bulacan, alongside key government agencies including the DILG, DENR, MMDA, DPWH, DOTr, TRB, Office of Civil Defense, and technical experts from the University of the Philippines’ National Hydraulic Research Center and AMH Philippines.
NLEX Vice President for Asset Management Jennifer Jane Go emphasized that maintaining the expressways’ usability during floods requires a multi-sectoral response. “That’s why we brought together our partner agencies and LGUs—to find real, workable solutions,” she said.
Solid waste management emerged as a common concern, with clogged waterways identified as a primary cause of urban flooding. AMH Philippines stressed the need for inter-LGU cooperation, citing the cross-boundary nature of stormwater.
Marilao’s Municipal Administrator Froilan Angeles echoed the call for collective effort: “Ang basura ang isa sa dahilan ng pagbaha… pero kailangan ang full cooperation at participation ng lahat.”
Valenzuela Flood Control Division’s Engr. Joselito Cantillon recommended long-term investments in heavy dredging equipment and city ordinance reviews. Meanwhile, Navotas CDRRMO head Dr. Vonne Villanueva said, “We share the same environment. This forum helps us learn and apply each other’s solutions.”
Among the agreed next steps were the installation of trash traps, increased Estero rangers, and better barangay coordination. All stakeholders committed to cleaning waterways before the rainy season and continuing joint monitoring.
Participants will reconvene to review progress and shape the next phases of this coordinated flood mitigation campaign.
NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), under Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).
