Davao City is once again facing the harsh realities of climate resilience as local authorities revealed that 265 areas across the city are now classified as “severely affected” by flooding.
According to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), District 1 bore the brunt of the flooding with 140 areas submerged, followed by 69 in District 2 and 56 in District 3. The widespread inundation has sparked renewed urgency among city leaders to address the problem beyond short-term fixes.
City Engineering Office Officer-in-Charge Janis Louis Esparcia, speaking before the City Council, underscored the need for long-term solutions that go beyond routine declogging operations. “We cannot rely solely on emergency response. This crisis requires a lasting framework for flood control,” Esparcia emphasized.
Among the measures being considered are the expansion of the city’s drainage system, construction of retention and detention ponds, and the development of additional flood-control infrastructure in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Solid waste management also emerged as a critical factor in the city’s flood mitigation strategy, with authorities pointing out that garbage-clogged waterways worsen the flooding situation each year.
The growing number of flood-affected communities highlights the city’s vulnerability as urban development, climate change, and waste management issues converge. For residents in low-lying areas, the call for concrete solutions has become more urgent than ever.