MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan — Mayor Christian D. Natividad emphasized community-driven environmental strategies during the recent ASEAN-Netherlands Cross-Learning Workshop, while also identifying land subsidence as a critical contributing factor to the worsening flooding experienced across the city and the province.
Nature-Based Solutions and Indigenous Knowledge
“In nature-based solutions, it is truly participatory government in action—every local resident is encouraged to utilize their indigenous knowledge in caring for and managing their natural environment,” Mayor Natividad stated. He particularly highlighted the vital role of natural mangrove forests as a cost-effective, sustainable defense against floodwaters and coastal erosion.
The Mayor also reaffirmed his commitment to the Buong Alyansa ng Baybayin, Dagat at Karagatan sa Lalawigan ng Bulacan at Pampanga, an initiative established in 2011. These longstanding efforts—including flood mitigation research and studies conducted in partnership with the University of the Philippines—remain a cornerstone of the city’s disaster resilience planning.
Land Subsidence: A Root Cause of Flooding
Mayor Natividad pointed out that flooding in the region is not caused solely by heavy rains or high tides. He noted that land subsidence—the gradual sinking of land due to various factors—significantly exacerbates flood risks, making communities more vulnerable even during moderate rainfall.
Unified Preparation for El Niño
On climate readiness, the Mayor affirmed that Malolos City will fully cooperate and align with the provincial government’s preparations for the El Niño phenomenon, ensuring coordinated water conservation, drought readiness, and disaster response planning across all levels of local government.
Public Safety and Water Supply Concerns
Balancing environmental priorities, Mayor Natividad also assured residents that increased police visibility will be maintained in all barangays to ensure the safety and security of every locality.
He once again raised the urgent water supply predicament facing Bulacan: a 2-million-liter daily shortage, yet priority distribution from Angat Dam goes to Metro Manila and Cavite. He expressed concern that while a Korean firm continues to install and operate a hydroelectric power plant at Angat Dam—despite a pending case before the Supreme Court filed by Filipino lawyers—Bulacan farmers, who irrigate some 5,000 hectares of agricultural land, remain at the bottom of the priority list for water allocation.
“Our farmers and communities deserve fairness in how our shared resources are managed,” the Mayor said. “Resilience means not only preparing for floods and droughts, but also ensuring that the Bulakenyos themselves benefit first from the waters that flow through our own land.”
