Advancing local leadership on digital readiness for disaster resilience

As floodwaters once again inundate Metro Manila, Cagayan and other provinces, this year's National Disaster Resilience Month comes with a painful reminder that resilience stays out of reach for many communities.

- SELVA RAMACHANDRAN

As floodwaters once again inundate Metro Manila, Cagayan and other provinces, this year's National Disaster Resilience Month comes with a painful reminder that resilience stays out of reach for many communities.The combined effects of Tropical Storm Crising and the southwest monsoon have affected over 1.27 million individuals nationwide (as of July 22, 2025), displacing thousands and disrupting lives in both urban centers and rural communities. In Cagayan Valley and Pangasinan, nearly P97-million agricultural losses, including over 2,000 metric tons of rice, have devastated farmers and food supply. We still see the cracks in our preparedness system, from flood-prone roads to fragile livelihoods, underscoring the need for urgent, systemic action beyond relief.

The theme "KUMIKILOS Para sa Kahandaan, Kaligtasan at Katatagan: Kayang Umaksyon ng Mamamayan na Isabuhay ang Kahandaan ng Bawat Isa Para Maging Ligtas sa Oras ng Sakuna" puts emphasis on people and community resilience.

This is an important discourse in light of the recent local elections as local chief executives begin crafting their executive and legislative priorities within the first 100 days of new local administration across LGUs.