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Cainta has gone from a rural agricultural land to a highly urbanized municipality. Information and technology that used to be non-existent are available today for our perusal. But I do not think that all these technological advancements are inclusive. For example, in the case of the use of social media as a communication tool and as a way to spread information, not every single resident has access to Facebook, much less the official accounts of the governing bodies. The older generation and the poorer communities don't have the same technological and information literacy that the middle class, middle aged people have. As such, when aiming for the successful attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, inclusivity is very much still a factor to keep in mind. Sustainability is a right that is meant for all, not only a select group.

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Creating an effective and impactful solution for such a large-scale problem cannot be accomplished by a few hands alone. Four months ago, Mayor Nieto sought the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for pumping stations and a drainage project along one of the main roads of Cainta. Although DPWH has accepted his request, it is a long process with several more approvals needed from the higher ups before it is actually implemented.

On a more positive note, the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project (PMRCIP) by DPWH in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is now in its final phase as of November 16, 2021. This phase includes construction of the Manggahan Control Gate Structure (MCGS) in the Manggahan Floodway and a reinforced concrete flood wall along Marikina River. The channel improvement also includes dredging and stretching of Pasig, Marikina and connecting Cainta and Taytay rivers to reduce the damage done by the overflowing of these bodies of water. These efforts will significantly reduce the flooding around Metro Manila and nearby areas of Rizal like Cainta.

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In both situations, social media was able to play a major role in relaying concerns to the governing body. The OneCainta Facebook page is very quick with giving updates on projects  and is responsive to concerns from the public. The best example of this is during the 2014 Typhoon Mario where Mayor Nieto received reports from the residents of Cainta about emergency cases and the updates regarding the water level. Through this form of communication, 26 teams lead by Mayor Nieto were able to perform rescue operations accordingly. Once the floods have subsided and the skies have calmed, Mayor Nieto posted on his Facebook account saying:

"My fb account will be the best tool to bring me closer to our people. I need reports from all our employees whom i have directed to text me about the conditions of their areas...I communicated with all texters, fb posters, landline callers.. As we are able to respond to say 5 calls, there would be 10 more coming up virtually making it impossible to cover all at the same time.. Just the same, i made sure they knew that government was listening and will do what it can to address their needs."

This event was also cited in a journal from the University of the Philippines Open University, where the author had recommended the institutionalization of social media as a tool for risk reduction and management.

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Flooding is an issue that creates a major setback for reaching sustainability in Cainta. Houses are often destroyed and it isn't a surprise that there are a lot of sleepless nights during typhoon season in fear of the rising flood water. However, Cainta's topography isn't the only factor affecting floods in this municipality. The urbanization and rapidly growing population also affect the rate at which flood water collects due to more infrastructures that hinder the passage of water. That being said, it is a must that proper planning of community settlements must be done. It must be able to adapt to Cainta's natural tendency to accumulate rain water and also provide solutions to this chronic problem. Furthermore, it is a must that every resident must be aware of the emergency hotlines and evacuation plans whenever such devastating calamities occur.

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As a resident of Cainta, and as a consumer in general, it is our duty to be accountable for our waste. The simple act of proper waste disposal will have a massive effect if we collectively do it.
As for governance, I feel like this issue on waste disposal gets neglected due to other more alarming problems such as flooding and the current COVID-19 pandemic. However, it may grow into a bigger problem if left alone. Garbage collection schedules must be duly followed in order to prevent a build-up of trash in homes, especially biodegradable waste since it may rot and attract pests. It may also be beneficial to have a segregation system per locality to facilitate in the collection of garbage.

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Litter on the streets may pose a serious threat since it has a possibility of clogging drainage systems, which would be highly undesirable since Cainta is already a flood-prone municipality. Not only that, exposure to garbage may have a direct effect on the health of the people. A clean environment reduces the risk of spreading pathogens and multiplying vectors that may be festering in dirty areas.

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Kia Motors Car Dealership in Sto. Domingo, Cainta. Image from Inquirer Mobility.

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Cainta had once been an agricultural land of rice paddies. However, due to its close proximity to Metro Manila, Cainta and all its barangays were urbanized and gave rise to various infrastructures and manufacturing firms.

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Residents of Cainta evacuate into the streets due to intense flood from Typhoon Ondoy. Photo by Reuters, taken from One News Ph.

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Due to having a low topography, Cainta serves as a catch basin for flood waters coming from the surrounding mountainous areas like Antipolo and flood-prone cities like Marikina. Because of this, Cainta faces danger

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One common complaint of residents in Cainta is the inconsistent schedule of garbage collection. Multiple people have raised their concerns on Cainta's official Facebook page, saying that they have garbage piled up in their homes because no garbage truck has passed by their area for more than a week.

Compared to other places, Cainta is also notorious for having dirty streets, with various types of wrappers and whatnot littering the gutters and esteros.