Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Jay Yuvallos urged Cebuanos to move beyond protesting corruption and take concrete action to address flooding, one of Cebu’s most persistent challenges.
CCCI and the Cebu Citizens Initiative spearheaded the Flood Hero Cebu Summit held on September 27, 2025 at the Cebu Coliseum. Nearly 5,000 participants, including civic associations, university students, and business groups, attended the summit.
Speaking at the summit, Yuvallos described flooding as a reflection of a leadership crisis fueled by systemic corruption. “From the September 21 Trillion Peso March, we ask, what’s next? Today’s event is not just against corruption, it is a rally for action.”
Yuvallos noted that heavy rains, flooding, poor infrastructure, and climate change is the current reality. He then urged Cebuanos to act now, to be a force for good, and to leave a legacy rather than simply passing on problems to the next generation.
Instead of just complaining about the worsening flooding, he said, Cebuanos must take an active part in providing solutions, such as setting up their own rainwater catchment, and proper disposal of garbage.
Former CCCI President Anastacio Muntuerto Jr. of the Cebu Citizens Initiative said solving Cebu’s flooding problem will take time, as it requires social transformation and a shift in mindset.
Dr. Danilo T. Jaque, managing director of Hydronet Consultant Inc., noted that the river encroachment resulted in the narrowing of waterways. Poor urban planning, watershed degradation, and the absence of drainage outlets also worsened the situation.
Jaque suggested several interventions, including rainwater harvesting, appropriate flood control structures, and enhancement of drainage systems.
John Carlo Lastimosa, a water resources engineer, discussed causes of flooding, such as climate change causing sea level rise, heavier rainfall, stronger typhoons, and extreme weather shifts. “Before it gets better, it will get worse,” he warned.
Ranga Amaraweera, Director, Regional Lead, ASEAN & Pacific Coastal Engineering and Management Surbana Jurong Group explained how Singapore solved its flooding problems.
Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival vowed visible improvements in the city’s flood management by the first quarter of 2026. “There will still be flooding, but by next year we aim for waters to subside much faster, not like now when it can take up to an hour,” he said.
Archival cited ongoing desilting of rivers and waterways as an immediate step, but stressed that technical measures will not be effective without public cooperation. He also called on Cebuanos to share responsibility by practicing proper waste management and supporting community efforts.
The mayor also called for compliance with the Cebu City Ordinance No. 2103 also known as the ‘Rainwater Conservation Ordinance of the City of Cebu.’
Yuvallos called on Cebuanos to rise above divisiveness, remain vigilant, and consistently take small actions that create ripple effects for the common good. “We are at a crossroads and transformation is possible,” he said.
At the end of the event, stakeholders signed a Covenant of Shared Responsibility—sending a clear message: the fight against flooding demands unity, urgency, and action. This commitment challenges every Cebuano to step up, support solutions, and take part in protecting our communities from future disasters.
