The Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) and the Antipolo City Government have formalized a partnership to strengthen the city’s water resilience and disaster preparedness. The collaboration was sealed through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement for the BRIDGE Project at Antipolo City Hall.
The partnership supports Antipolo City’s push to integrate nature-based solutions into urban planning. City officials said the initiative aligns with Antipolo’s recently passed Blue-Green Infrastructure Ordinance, the first of its kind in the Philippines. The ordinance promotes the use of natural systems—such as green spaces and water-sensitive design—to manage flooding, protect water resources, and reduce disaster risks as the city grows.
Speaking on behalf of mayor Jun Ynares, Councilor Lorenzo Juan Sumulong III said the policy positions Antipolo as a national model for sustainable urban development. He noted that the ordinance strengthens the city’s long-term development plans and ensures that projects like BRIDGE support both environmental protection and community safety.
PDRF leaders highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing climate and water challenges. The BRIDGE Project, short for Building Resilience Through Inclusive Development and Gender Equality, is a four-year program funded by Global Affairs Canada. It focuses on improving water governance, strengthening local government capacity, and promoting inclusive participation, especially among women and Indigenous Peoples.
Antipolo City is one of two pilot sites for the project, alongside Baguio City. As part of the rollout, PDRF launched a pilot Water Governance Program in the city, starting with a five-day training on Integrated Water Resources Management for local government staff.
City officials said the agreement and training mark an important step toward building institutional capacity and putting nature-based policies into practice. Together, these efforts aim to support Antipolo City’s vision of a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban futur
