Monsoon rains consistently inundate the National Capital Region and Region 3, particularly the province of Bulacan. Low-lying coastal and riverbank municipalities—specifically Calumpit, Hagonoy, Paombong, and Obando—face the highest risk of frequent flooding.
Research confirms that continuous rainfall transforms streets into rivers, a recurring crisis that persists year after year. Current interventions, such as declogging drains, dredging silt, and stacking sandbags, remain necessary but ultimately temporary measures. These are temporary solutions to a chronic problem; we must address the root causes.
In Bulacan, Governor Daniel Fernando has initiated a province-wide river dredging and restoration program. By deepening silted waterways—including the Angat, Hagonoy, and Guiguinto rivers—the initiative aims to improve drainage toward the sea.
The Governor has secured additional dredging equipment, intensified operations in flood-prone districts, and ordered a comprehensive review of all flood-control projects to ensure public funds are utilized effectively.
Most importantly, he has championed the Manila Bay Coastal Road-Dike Project—a massive, long-term barrier against high tides and storm surges, now supported by the Asian Development Bank.
He maintains that this is the permanent solution for which coastal towns like Calumpit and Hagonoy have waited for decades.
We must move beyond temporary measures like dredging. A permanent solution requires decisive national government action: the immediate construction of a coastal dike, the restoration of watersheds and forests, and an end to groundwater extraction to prevent land subsidence.
Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Furthermore, we must implement functional floodgates and pumping stations capable of operating during high tides. Sandbags offer only a fleeting defense. Governor Fernando has charted the necessary path; we must now demand comprehensive, long-term infrastructure. As rainfall persists, we deserve proactive protection rather than passive endurance.
