MANILA, Philippines — Pasig City will use the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge grant to address the lack of open spaces along flood-prone waterways by mobilizing residents to co-design floating parks, Mayor Vico Sotto told The Manila Times on Tuesday.
“Through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge, Pasig will confront the lack of open, usable spaces along flood-prone waterways not just as a problem of design, but also as an opportunity to mobilize the residents to implement a solution,” Sotto said.
“As a winner, we will have an engine of support to co-design floating parks with residents along our historical river. In doing so, we hope to reclaim green space and transform high-risk corridors into safe public places that foster civic engagement and reconnect with our heritage.”
Pasig City was among 24 global winners selected from more than 630 applicants in the 2025–2026 Mayors Challenge. Pasig City joined 25 Philippine cities that participated in the competition, with the city’s floating parks proposal advancing to the global winning list.
