CALUMPIT, Bulacan — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will relocate an initial 70 families living along the Pampanga River in Calumpit to expedite the construction of dikes and other flood control structures.
DPWH Secretary Vivencio Dizon made the assurance during an inspection aboard a boat along the river on Friday, amid heavy rains brought by the Habagat.
According to Dizon, the families built their homes directly on the river, which is both illegal and dangerous. Their presence also obstructs ongoing flood control works.
“These structures must be removed so we can move faster on the dikes. We cannot delay projects that protect thousands of residents,” Dizon said.
Under DPWH standards, no houses should be built on riverbanks or within four meters of the waterway. Many of the affected homes in Calumpit are built right on the Pampanga River itself, making them the first to be hit during high tide.
To address this, DPWH has coordinated with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for 100 housing unit allocations under the in-city relocation program in Calumpit.
The units are part of housing being built for families displaced by the North-South Commuter Railway project. Target relocation is set for early 2027.
While the permanent housing is under construction, DPWH will provide rental subsidies to the affected families so they can immediately transfer to temporary shelter.
Dizon said the delay in flood control projects in this area was due to legal processes that had to be settled first. The projects were among those flagged for irregularities and were personally inspected by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in August 2025.
The DPWH plan includes the construction of new and properly sized dikes, particularly in Brgy. Calizon, and the installation of pumping stations to manage rainwater and prevent flooding beyond the dikes.
The agency aims to align the new dikes on both sides of the Pampanga River with the existing dike surrounding Calumpit Poblacion. Current dikes, some built over 20 years ago, are now being overtopped due to rising water levels and river siltation.
Back-flooding from high water levels in Pampanga and Nueva Ecija continues to affect Calumpit and Hagonoy during heavy rains. Clearing the riverbanks is seen as critical to making flood control efforts effective and continuous.
