MANILA, Philippines — Pasig City under Mayor Vico Sotto has secured a $1 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies after its floating parks initiative was named one of the world’s top urban innovations. The Manila Times obtained the information through an exclusive email conversation with Bloomberg Philanthropies ahead of the global announcement of the winners. Twenty-five cities from the Philippines joined the 2025–2026 Mayors Challenge, with Pasig City emerging as one of the global winners. Naga City and Cauayan City were among the other Philippine finalists that reached the global top 50. The recognition places Pasig among 24 winning cities selected from more than 630 applicants worldwide in the 2025–2026 Mayors Challenge. Bloomberg Philanthropies said winners were chosen for the novelty of their ideas, potential impact, and the strength of their implementation plans after 50 finalist cities tested live prototypes with residents. In a statement to The Manila Times, Aparna Ramanan, who leads the Mayors Challenge for the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies, said Pasig’s community-driven approach distinguished the city. “Pasig isn’t just designing a solution for residents—it is building one with them,” Ramanan said. “By turning flood-prone waterways into floating parks, the city’s Mayors Challenge-winning program will yes – reduce river overflow – but also, create public spaces shaped by the people who live beside them,” she added. Ramanan said that level of partnership helps local governments deliver results and build public trust, adding that Bloomberg Philanthropies looks forward to supporting the municipality and helping other cities learn from its model. During the finalist phase, Pasig received $50,000 and technical support to pilot “Hope Floats,” a working prototype that allowed residents to board a retrofitted barge and directly shape the design. Children sketched playground ideas while adults proposed videoke, aesthetic lighting, exercise areas and night markets, with city officials using the feedback to test engineering, safety and regulatory assumptions along the Pasig River. The winning plan will establish a network of floating parks totaling about 700 square meters, including modular circular platforms and a converted barge capable of carrying up to 250 people. The parks will integrate wetlands to help filter water, retention systems designed to reduce river overflow, and a resident-led Parks Governance Council that will co-manage operations and programming.