DPWH to deploy new equipment to flood-hit areas in Bulacan

CITY OF MALOLOS — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will deploy newly acquired dredging and desilting equipment to flood-prone areas in Bulacan as part of immediate measures to address the province’s worsening flooding, Secretary Vince Dizon said Friday, Sept. 18.

Dizon gave the assurance during a meeting with Gov. Daniel Fernando, mayors and congressional representatives at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center. He said equipment arriving in September and October would clear clogged waterways and help mitigate flooding.

According to Dizon, he directed the heads of the DPWH’s First, Second and Third District Engineering Offices in Bulacan to coordinate with local governments to identify waterways for priority dredging and desilting.

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READ: Ramon Ang: Bulacan flooding due to low elevation, narrow rivers

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Dizon said the southwest monsoon rains were unprecedented and warned that flooding could have been worse had the province been hit by strong typhoons. 

He said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. instructed him to immediately address flooding in Bulacan.“I will deploy to your areas the ones we newly acquired and are coming this September and October. Make the necessary requests now, particularly in Districts 1 and 2 where the heavy flooding occurred. What we only need in addition is gasoline and an operator,” Dizon told officials.

READ: State of calamity up in flood-hit Bulacan

He identified three immediate measures: dredging and desilting waterways, installing modular flood barriers in gaps along river dikes, and inspecting and maintaining floodgates while deploying mobile water pumps to remove floodwaters.

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Dizon said the modular barriers can be stacked up to three meters and have been used to help contain flooding along the North Luzon Expressway.

“We should immediately identify the towns and cities that need them the most for swift installation,” he said.

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He also urged local governments to invest in mobile water-pumping stations, noting that DPWH would prioritize the most vulnerable areas because of limited resources.

Fernando assured Dizon that the provincial government and affected cities and municipalities would cooperate in addressing the flooding.

Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Manuel Lukban Jr. identified 10 flood-prone chokepoints for priority attention: Longos and Bulihan in Malolos City; Malis in Guiguinto; Panginay in Balagtas; Masuso in Pandi; Salusoy in Meycauayan City; Lolomboy in Bocaue; Lambakin in Marilao; Anyatam in San Ildefonso; Salacot in San Miguel; and Caingin in San Rafael.

Lukban cited gaps in dikes and river walls, poorly maintained floodgates, heavily silted waterways, low culverts and water lilies as factors contributing to flooding in these areas.

Dizon said flood-control gaps in Barangays Calizon, Frances and Bulusan have been addressed since midyear, with completion expected early next year. The three areas were among those visited by Marcos during Bulacan Day on Aug. 15, 2025, amid allegations involving ghost flood control projects.

Dizon said the funds for the newly acquired equipment, modular barriers and mobile pumps came from DPWH savings, while the continuation of immediate and medium-term measures will be funded under the proposed 2027 budget.

Medium-term measures include bamboo cribbing and other nature-based solutions, detention basins and a dike project in Masukol, Paombong.

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A proposed Manila Bay Integrated Flood Control, Coastal Defense and Expressway Project is also being considered as a longer-term measure to address flooding and high tides affecting coastal communities in Bulacan. Dizon said the project is still in the pre-study stage. INQ