Accelerating Flood Mitigation Efforts: Eastwood City Hosts "Bantay Ilog" Digital Info-Caravan

Eastwood City’s Cyber & Fashion Atrium transformed into an engaging hub for sustainability as it hosted “Bantay Ilog: The PMRCIP IV Digital Info-Caravan,” an interactive public exhibition designed to raise vital awareness about disaster preparedness and flood mitigation along the critical Pasig-Marikina River basin.

On Friday, June 5, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the campaign hosted its main seminar event, featuring project presentations, open forums, and community solidarity ceremonies alongside the culmination of its digital exhibit.

By opening its central spaces to this crucial campaign—steered by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and backed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)—Eastwood City provided an accessible community platform where residents, professionals, and everyday mallgoers could easily connect with the grand-scale engineering and community efforts protecting their neighborhoods.

 

From "Sagip Ilog" to "Bantay Ilog"

The event highlighted the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project (PMRCIP) Phase IV, a major initiative focused on mitigating flood damages in Metro Manila to foster a safer, more sustainable urban environment.

In a featured statement, DPWH OIC Project Director Engr. Jerry Fano emphasized the long history of the advocacy, noting that the campaign originally began in 2009 under the slogan “Sagip Ilog, Iwas Lubog!”. Over nearly two decades of stakeholder collaboration, it had transformed into “Bantay Ilog,” empowering citizens to step up as true guardians of their local waterways.

Interactive Seminar and Community Gathering

The interactive seminar brought together key international and local project leaders to discuss both structural and non-structural flood mitigation efforts. The panel included:

Mr. Kazuto Suzuki, Project Manager of PMRCIP-IV

Ms. Catherine Palanca, Senior Program Officer of JICA

Engr. Norman N. Gamboa and Mr. Grecile Christopher R. Damo of the DPWH

To further bridge the campaign with the community, the seminar welcomed barangay chairpersons from surrounding areas such as Bagumbayan, Libis, Ugong Norte, and Blue Ridge B. The program also featured special appearances by Miss Earth candidates representing Mandaluyong, Marikina, Pasig, and Quezon City, alongside musical performances by the group Formula 5 to help engage attendees.

Bringing Public Awareness to a Shared Space

The digital exhibition reimagined the mall’s atrium into an educational setting, where guests encountered LED digital posters and multimedia presentations that translated complex climate and flood mitigation topics into clear, easy-to-understand visuals.

Community members, stakeholders, and visitors were invited to explore the digital booths and take part in ongoing discussions that underscored the importance of shared environmental awareness. The initiative reflected how collaborative public platforms can support greater understanding of climate challenges and encourage more informed, community-wide engagement.

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