From December 2–4, 2025, the City Government of Valenzuela and the UP NOAH Center held a three-day virtual Participatory Hazard Assessment Workshop to advance the Valenzuela City Drainage Master Plan (VCDMP). This workshop was a platform to introduce the DMP project objectives and expected outputs to stakeholders and show the ongoing efforts of the Local Government Unit (LGU) to address the recurring flooding and inundation concerns in the city.
The Collaborative Approach
The workshop brought together participants from all 33 barangays and various city departments. Representatives from both the Valenzuela DRRMO and the UP Resilience Institute emphasized that while technology provides the framework, local knowledge is the key to creating a sustainable, community-driven plan.
Key Activities
Data Validation: Participants used Google Street View to virtually navigate their neighborhoods, helping researchers pinpoint exact flood depths and locations from historical events including Typhoon Crising (2025), Super Typhoon Pepito (2024), Super Typhoon Carina (2024), and Typhoon Ondoy (2009).
Flood Impact Assessment: Beyond just water levels, the sessions explored the human cost of flooding, including its effects on health, education, and local livelihoods.
Community Insight: Residents shared how they currently prepare for disasters and offered recommendations on how the local government can improve drainage infrastructure and hellp mitigate the effects of flooding.
The Outcome
The data gathered will be used to fine-tune UP NOAH’s flood models and help provide insights into the condition and performance of the city’s current drainage systems. By integrating these “on-the-ground” insights, the city ensures that the final Drainage Master Plan is both scientifically sound and responsive to the actual needs of its residents.