Filipino Champions of Resilience: Experts Leading the Fight Against Flooding

Flooding in Metro Manila and across the Philippines is no longer just a seasonal inconvenience, it is a persistent and escalating crisis that demands visionary leadership, scientific precision, and strategic action. As climate change intensifies rainfall patterns and rapid urbanization overwhelms aging drainage systems, the urgency for transformative disaster risk management has never been more pronounced.

At the forefront of this national mission stand six distinguished leaders, all The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Laureates: Ramon S. Ang, Hans T. Sy, Glenn S. Banaguas, Alfredo Mahar Francisco A. Lagmay, Felino “Jun” A. Palafox, Jr., and Rogelio “Babes” L. Singson.

Their collective expertise spans infrastructure, climate science, urban planning, governance, diplomacy, and corporate resilience, a rare convergence of disciplines united by a shared commitment to public service and national progress.

Together, they offer more than solutions, they present a unified blueprint for flood management that is technically sound, socially inclusive, and scalable across regions. Their leadership not only addresses the immediate threats of flooding but also lays the foundation for a resilient, adaptive, and future-ready Philippines.

Ramon S. Ang, President and CEO of San Miguel Corporation, has redefined private sector leadership in flood mitigation through bold, strategic action. His commitment to rehabilitate Metro Manila’s waterways without burdening the government includes desilting major rivers, relocating obstructive structures, and building replacement infrastructure that enhances flow and safety. Ang’s track record in delivering transformative projects like the Skyway and MRT-7 showcases his ability to execute complex solutions with speed and precision. By blending engineering excellence with visionary foresight, he has emerged as a driving force in reshaping flood-prone urban landscapes into resilient, future-ready environments, proving that business can be a powerful catalyst for climate adaptation and national development.

Hans T. Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, is a leading advocate for private sector-driven disaster resilience. Under his leadership, SM Prime has embedded elevated mall designs, rainwater catchment systems, and earthquake-resistant structures into its developments, setting a benchmark for climate-adaptive infrastructure. Sy actively collaborates with the National Resilience Council and ARISE Philippines to promote capacity-building and risk-informed investments. At the 2025 UNDRR Global Platform in Geneva, he reaffirmed the role of business in scaling science-based solutions. His commitment to dedicating a portion of capital expenditure to resilience reflects his belief that preparedness is not only strategic but essential for sustainable development and long-term community safety.

Glenn S. Banaguas, the first and only Filipino recipient of the prestigious UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction, is the founder of the Environmental and Climate Change Research Institute (ECCRI) and the architect of Climate Smart Philippines: Science for Service, a national program that integrates research, policy, and action to build climate resilience. Through multi-stakeholder participatory mechanisms, the initiative translates scientific data into innovative strategies for disaster risk management and climate adaptation, including early warning systems and inclusive decision-making. Its people-centered, evidence-based framework has been replicated globally. Internationally recognized as a science diplomat and multi-awarded scientist, Glenn has driven transformative progress in climate action, disaster risk governance, and environmental sustainability establishing science diplomacy as a cornerstone of resilience in vulnerable and high-risk regions worldwide.

Alfredo Mahar Francisco A. Lagmay, Executive Director of Project NOAH and the UP Resilience Institute (UPRI), has revolutionized disaster risk reduction in the Philippines through science and technology. His pioneering work in real-time hazard mapping, flood forecasting, and community-level risk assessments has empowered citizens to take proactive measures before disasters strike. Lagmay’s platforms are open-access, ensuring that life-saving information reaches even the most vulnerable populations. Internationally recognized, he received the Plinius Medal from the European Geosciences Union—the first Asian to do so. By transforming complex geospatial data into accessible public tools, Lagmay has made science a vital shield against climate-induced threats, advancing resilience and preparedness across the nation.

Felino “Jun” A. Palafox Jr. is a pioneering urban planner whose visionary work has shaped the future of flood-resilient and sustainable cities in the Philippines and beyond. He advocates for elevated structures, integrated green spaces, and water-sensitive design to align urban development with environmental stewardship. His proposals for the Parañaque Spillway and Laguna Lake rehabilitation remain among the most promising solutions to Metro Manila’s flooding challenges. By blending global best practices with Filipino cultural heritage, Palafox creates master plans that are both practical and inspiring. His lifelong commitment to inclusive, climate-ready urbanism continues to guide communities toward livability, beauty, and resilience in the face of growing environmental complexity.

Rogelio “Babes” Singson is a visionary leader in Philippine infrastructure and governance whose impact spans both public service and the private sector. As DPWH Secretary, he championed transparency reforms and led the Metro Manila Flood Management Master Plan, promoting long-term solutions for disaster resilience. At BCDA, he transformed former military bases into vibrant economic zones like Bonifacio Global City and Clark, while spearheading expressway projects that strengthened regional connectivity. In the private sector, he advanced strategic investments across Southeast Asia. His legacy is built on integrity, innovation, and public service setting enduring standards in urban development, infrastructure planning, and clean, accountable leadership that continue to shape national progress.

Together, these six leaders embody the highest ideals of Filipino innovation, integrity, and public service. Their collective efforts transcend sectors and disciplines, merging engineering, science, diplomacy, and governance into a cohesive force for national resilience. What they offer is not merely a roadmap, but a living blueprint for safeguarding communities, restoring ecosystems, and future-proofing the Philippines against the rising tide.

Their experiences rooted in decades of implementation, innovation, and collaboration can serve as a vital compass for government planners and decision-makers. By drawing from their insights, the country can better design and execute flood management strategies that are grounded in evidence, responsive to local realities, and resilient to future risks.

Built on evidence, empathy, and shared responsibility, their leadership lights the way toward a safer, smarter, and more united nation.