After the Elections, Let’s Talk About the Flood

By: Guillermo Sumbliling

July is National Disaster Resilience Month in the Philippines — and for Kalibo and the rest of Aklan, this should be more than just another calendar event. It should be a clear and urgent call to action.

We’ve just come out of a local election. New leaders have taken their oaths, and incumbents have renewed their mandates. The promises have been made, hands have been raised, and the slogans have been plastered on every wall. Now it’s time to work — and one agenda must rise above the rest: disaster resiliency.

Kalibo, as the capital of Aklan, is the natural catch basin of the Aklan River. History reminds us how vulnerable we are — from the devastating Typhoon Frank in 2008 to the infamous “pag baha it eapok” floods of the 1950s and 1970s, where floodwaters mixed with mud buried entire neighborhoods. Each time the rain pours, we are reminded of how close we are to the next big disaster.

The question is: Have we learned enough? Are we doing enough?

The world is changing. The weather is more extreme. We see flash floods in Spain, mudslides in the U.S., and here at home — rising waters after just a few hours of rain. We cannot rely on luck. We need science-based planning, budgeted programs, and serious leadership.

The dikes along the Aklan River may be standing — but are they being maintained? Are there regular assessments? Are the riverbanks being protected? Do we have updated ordinances to control river silting, informal settlements, and illegal quarrying?

We hear discussions about the Bakawan Eco-Park mangroves — an environmental treasure, but also a possible contributor to river blockage and silt buildup. Even the governor has acknowledged the issue. But has the conversation led to policy? Have LGUs from Libacao to Kalibo met as one body to map out a long-term solution?

This is a challenge to our newly elected mayors, councilors, and governors:
👉 Make disaster resiliency your top agenda.
👉 Convene experts and communities.
👉 Fund flood control, early warning systems, and risk mapping.
👉 Don’t wait for the next flood to prove us unprepared.

Let us not sweep this under the rug or wait for another election cycle to act. The people deserve leaders who prioritize safety, prepare for the worst, and invest in long-term resilience.

To every concerned citizen: demand accountability. Ask your barangay and municipal leaders what their plans are. Join consultations. Support science-based solutions. Our survival depends on our participation.

Kalibo cannot afford another disaster story. Let this July be the beginning of a real, sustained, and inclusive push for a disaster-resilient Aklan.

Because when the floods come, they don’t ask who you voted for.