Launch of the "Flood-Free Cebu" initiative
The Cebu Citizens Initiative (CCI) and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) have announced a new community-driven initiative called "Flood-Free Cebu". This initiative aims to address the growing challenges posed by heavy rains and persistent flooding in Metro Cebu.
The Flood-Free Cebu summit, set to take place at the Cebu Coliseum on Sept. 27, 2025, is expected to draw an estimated 3,000 participants. The summit aims to signify the need for a more unified and urgent approach to addressing urban flooding, as stated by CCCI president Jay Yuvallos.
Experts from Singapore have been invited to share insights on drainage master planning, while the initiative also encourages self-leadership and responsibility in addressing urban flooding. It is built on a multi-pronged approach that focuses on identifying the root causes of flooding, mobilizing community participation, improving non-infrastructure-based solutions, and addressing the specific needs of different communities.
However, no specific local government representatives have been publicly confirmed or disclosed as invited or confirmed attendees for the event, nor have any concrete measures been publicly announced by them yet. The attendance and commitment of top local officials, including Gov. Pamela Baricuatro and Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, at the summit and their potential involvement in specific actions remain uncertain.
The success of these next steps will determine if the initiative can evolve from a call to action into a sustained force for change in Cebu's battle against flooding. Following the summit, the focus will shift to implementing the strategies discussed and rolling out a digital content campaign. A digital campaign is planned to create relatable visual content about flooding, aiming to collect 2,000 content pieces by December.
The long-term sustainability of the campaign and its ability to maintain momentum beyond the initial summit also remains to be seen. It is not yet clear how this citizen-led movement will translate into concrete government policy, funding, and infrastructure projects.
Yuvallos also emphasised that the Flood-Free Cebu initiative calls on the government to fulfill its role while also empowering residents to take action themselves. The initiative's ultimate goal is to make Cebu a flood-free city, fostering a safer and more resilient community for all its residents.
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