Newly sworn-in Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, responding to her first crisis just hours into office — symbolic of the challenges awaiting newly elected leaders nationwide.
A flood submerged 19 classrooms at Julian B. Meliton Elementary School after heavy monsoon rains. The incident was reported on #LyfSaver, a citizen-powered disaster platform that aids in real-time hazard mapping and early response.
The flood exposes long-standing vulnerabilities — from poor drainage to limited climate adaptation — and serves as a wake-up call for all new officials to put climate resilience at the heart of local governance. As Robredo pushes for a cleaner, greener, and climate-resilient city, the moment underscores the need for proactive leadership and sustained investment in preparedness.
NAGA CITY, Philippines — On her first day in office, newly sworn-in Mayor Leni Robredo was already in the field, responding to a flood emergency.
Hours of continuous rainfall on Monday, June 30, triggered by the southwest monsoon (Habagat) and intensified by a low-pressure area over the Philippine Sea, submerged parts of the city. Julian B. Meliton Elementary School was one of the hardest-hit areas, with 19 classrooms flooded in hours.
The incident was logged on #LyfSaver, a disaster monitoring platform that crowdsources real-time reports from citizens and communities. The verified post contributed to hazard mapping and highlighted the growing role of digital tools in early response and post-disaster planning.
Calling for more durable, long-term solutions to recurring floods, Robredo wrote on her Facebook page:
While Naga’s situation unfolded locally, experts say it reflects a broader national crisis. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), intensified monsoon rains are expected in the coming weeks, increasing the risk of flooding.
The flooding in Naga exposes systemic issues: outdated infrastructure, poor drainage, unregulated development, and limited investment in climate adaptation. As the climate crisis deepens, such events become more frequent and severe.
In October 2024, Tropical Storm Trami (Kristine) dumped over two months’ worth of rain in a day, triggering widespread flooding across Naga and nearby towns in Camarines Sur. The high-water marks from 2024 remain a cautionary backdrop amid persistent disaster preparedness and response gaps.
The flood struck on a symbolic date — June 30, the same day newly elected officials across the country took their oaths of office. It served as an early warning that climate vulnerability must be at the center of the national agenda, regardless of political affiliation.
Robredo’s rapid response underscores the importance of community-based governance, from swift assessments to transparent communication, in building climate resilience.
July is National Disaster Resilience Month, a reminder that preparedness and long-term planning are as crucial as emergency response. Experts and civil society groups are calling for investments in:
Digital tools like #LyfSaver are connecting communities, decision-makers, and frontline responders, turning community insights into actionable data.
In a country where citizens are often the first responders, reporting incidents like the Naga flood through platforms like LyfSaver can save lives.
By sharing real-time updates, Filipinos help:
At app.lyfsaver.ph, anyone can submit a hazard report, monitor alerts, and join a growing movement for community-driven resilience.
The #LyfSaver platform is an initiative led by Fyt Media in partnership with the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute, UP NOAH, YesPinoy Foundation, Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Office, and PSAID. These groups aim to make disaster information more accessible, community-driven, and life-saving. — fyt.ph
