In response to the worsening flood crisis across the country, Bataan 1st Congressional District Representative Antonino “Tony” Roman III filed the Flood Resilience Legislative Package of 2025, a three-part bill aimed at overhauling the way the Philippines handles flood prevention, data governance, and environmental protection.

The proposed package includes House Bill 2201 or the National Flood Risk Governance and Data Integration Act, which seeks to establish a centralized, real-time flood data platform under the Department of Information and Communications Technology. This hub will integrate data from multiple agencies, such as rainfall patterns, tides, land use, and infrastructure conditions, enabling local and national governments to access consistent information when planning flood response measures.

House Bill 2202, titled the Flood Resilience Incentive and Performance Fund Act, proposes the creation of a ₱2 billion national fund that rewards local government units (LGUs) with effective and evidence-based flood mitigation programs. The fund will support projects such as drainage improvements, early warning systems, and nature-based solutions, with eligibility based on vulnerability assessments and planning readiness.

The third measure, House Bill 2203 or the Urban Wetlands and Easement Protection Act, is focused on restoring and protecting natural flood barriers like wetlands, riverbanks, and mangroves. It mandates LGUs to map out and inventory these areas, provides legal tools for clearing illegal structures, and allows disaster funds to be used for restoring these critical buffer zones.

Roman said the bills respond to long-standing issues identified by climate experts and weather authorities, such as the Climate Change Commission and PAGASA, which warn of more intense flooding due to stronger typhoons, poor drainage, and unchecked urban expansion into natural flood zones. He emphasized that the measures are not exclusive to Central Luzon but are meant to benefit flood-prone areas nationwide, including BARMM, Eastern Visayas, and Northern Mindanao.

Calling for broad congressional support, Roman urged his fellow lawmakers to act quickly. “Let’s stop reacting to floods and start preparing for them,” he said. “This legislative package is not just about infrastructure—it’s about national safety and resilience.”

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