In the aftermath of Typhoon Tino, a Mandaue City official is pushing for a stronger city-wide effort to collect rainwater as a practical defense against recurring floods.
Call for Stricter Ordinance Implementation
Mandaue City Councilor Joel Seno made a public appeal on Monday, November 17, 2025, for the rigorous enforcement of the city's Storm Ordinance. This local law, originally passed in 2019, actively promotes the practice of rainwater harvesting in both households and commercial establishments.
"There's an existing ordinance already, and we just need it to be implemented properly and strictly," Seno stated. He clarified that while this measure won't completely eliminate flooding, it empowers every household to help minimize its damaging effects.
A Simple, Low-Cost Solution
Councilor Seno championed rainwater harvesting as a quick and affordable strategy that transforms a potential problem into a valuable resource. He provided a vivid illustration of its potential impact.
"Imagine if we have about 80,000 households, and each household has just two barrels," Seno said. "Instead of water flowing into the streets, it stays in your home, where you can use it to flush toilets or water plants."
He emphasized that these are "quick wins" that are simple to put into practice. The initiative comes at no cost to the city government and simultaneously fosters a powerful sense of civic responsibility among residents. Seno noted that some proactive individuals have already started harvesting rainwater without any formal enforcement, proving its inherent practicality.
Monitoring and City-Wide Participation
The responsibility for monitoring compliance, especially for new constructions applying for building permits, falls under the Office of the Building Official (OBO) and the Mandaue City Engineering Office. While the 2019 ordinance does contain penalties for building code infractions, its rainwater harvesting component is primarily designed to encourage voluntary participation.
Seno was clear that this initiative is not just for new buildings. He strongly encouraged owners of existing homes and commercial structures to take part. "The objective is simple: instead of letting rainwater flow into the streets, collect it and make it useful for your household," he added.
The councilor concluded with a call to action for all Mandaue residents, framing rainwater harvesting as a tangible step toward building a more flood-resilient community while promoting environmental awareness and collective action.
