Pasig City wins $1M Bloomberg grant

Flooding with Innovation Pasig City Wins $1M Bloomberg Grant

Pasig City has emerged as a global winner in the 2025-2026 Mayors Challenge, securing a $1 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the city's commitment to community-driven development and its ability to harness innovation through effective collaboration.

A Win-Win for Pasig City

Pasig City's winning project, Hope Floats, seeks to transform flood-prone waterways into floating parks. This innovative approach not only reduces river overflow but also creates public spaces that are shaped by the people who live beside them. By working together with residents, city officials can challenge assumptions and co-create solutions along the Pasig River.

From Concept to Reality

The winning plan will establish a network of floating parks totaling approximately 700 square meters. These parks will feature modular circular platforms, converted barges capable of carrying up to 250 people, and integrate wetlands, retention systems, and a resident-led Parks Governance Council to co-manage operations and programming.

A Recipe for Success

According to Aparna Ramanan, who leads the Mayors Challenge for the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies, Pasig City's winning project stands out due to its community-driven approach. Pasig isn't just designing a solution for residents – it is building one with them, she said.

The Power of Partnership

By partnering with residents and stakeholders, Pasig City has demonstrated its commitment to delivering results and building public trust. This collaborative approach will not only help the city address the lack of open, usable spaces along flood-prone waterways but also mobilize residents to co-design solutions.

A $1 Million Boost

As a winner, Pasig City will receive not only $1 million but also operational support and additional funding for dedicated staff to scale the project and expand its tested innovation. This grant will enable the city to finalize the design, begin construction of the floating parks and riverside easements, and continue consultations with communities to form a Governance Council for Parks.

A Global Community of Innovators

Pasig City is part of a global community of innovators that includes cities from around the world, such as As-Salt, Jordan; Barcelona, Spain; Beira, Mozambique; and many more. This community will come together to share best practices, learn from each other's experiences, and continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

The Way Forward

As Pasig City embarks on this exciting journey, it will be essential to maintain momentum and continue engaging with residents and stakeholders. By doing so, the city can ensure that its innovative solutions are not only effective but also sustainable and beneficial for all members of the community.

In conclusion, Pasig City's winning project is a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and community-driven development. As we move forward into this new era of urban transformation, it will be crucial to continue supporting bold, creative city governments in solving public service problems and scaling innovative ideas.

Keywords Pasig City, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Mayors Challenge, Floating parks, Community-driven development, Innovation, Urban transformation, Collaboration, Sustainability

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.