Photo credit: VP Sara Duterte

Filipinos have long been grappling with the devastating impact of floods, and Vice President Sara Duterte is making sure their voices are heard loud and clear. Reflecting on her personal experiences with floods in Davao City, Duterte is using her platform to demand better flood control and drainage solutions across the country.

"Dalawang beses akong nakaranas ng baha sa bahay mismo ng mga magulang ko sa Taal St., Davao City," she shared, recalling how her family’s home was inundated with floodwaters, leaving behind a trail of destruction. These experiences have deeply impacted her, fueling her determination to push for change.

Duterte vividly remembers the time when, as the mayor of Davao City, she had to face the tragic aftermath of a flash flood that claimed 30 lives. "Hanggang ngayon masakit pa rin sa damdamin ko ito," she confessed, highlighting the emotional toll such events take on communities and leaders alike.

Determined to prevent such tragedies, Duterte has long advocated for proper flood planning. She emphasized the need for thorough studies, like the one she requested from NEDA XI during her tenure as mayor. This led to the creation of a comprehensive Master Plan and Feasibility Study for Flood Control and Drainage in Davao City, a project that started in September 2016 and was finally published in July 2023.

But her call to action goes beyond Davao. Duterte is urging the government to fund and implement infrastructure projects aligned with these carefully crafted plans. She’s clear in her message: leadership is about faithful service to the people, not just about holding champagne glasses.

As she expressed her gratitude to JICA and the Japanese Government for their support in Davao City, Duterte made one thing abundantly clear: Filipinos deserve better. And she’s committed to ensuring that they get it.

"We, Filipinos, should be the best," she declared, reminding us all that true leadership is about making things happen — not just talking about it.