CITY OF MALOLOS — Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vivencio Dizon led a joint inspection in Barangay Iba, Hagonoy, on Monday (Oct. 12) to fast-track urgent flood mitigation measures in flood-prone communities.
The said inspection focused on ongoing dredging operations and plans to revive an abandoned local pumping station to help ease flooding in low-lying areas of the municipality.
Joined by Hagonoy Mayor Ma. Rosario Sy-Alvarado-Mendoza and Barangay Captain Kim Robles, the team conducted the site visit to assess ongoing operations, ensure immediate flood relief for residents, and close critical gaps in the area’s flood defenses.
The inspection marked a continuation of the flood management measures discussed during a meeting last month, where the urgent need to alleviate the suffering of flood-stricken Bulakenyos was emphasized by Fernando as Dizon presented immediate, medium-term, and long-term strategies to address recurring inundation across the province.
As part of the ongoing interventions, dredging operations were undertaken to improve water flow and prevent creeks from overflowing, while the rehabilitation of the existing pumping station was lined up for implementation through a simplified and cost-efficient design that would allow savings to be allocated for additional pumping equipment.
Explaining the effectiveness of pumping systems, Dizon highlighted that keeping waterways from becoming full and overflowing was essential to addressing the flooding experience in Brgy. Iba, where even light rainfall had previously caused creek levels to rise and nearby communities to become inundated.
“Ito talaga ang nakikita nating epektibo, ang ginagawa nito is sinisigurado lagi na ‘yung estero, ‘yung creek ay hindi mapupuno, hindi aapaw, kasi ‘yun naman ang cause ng flooding dito sa Iba, kinuwento sakin ni Mayora at Kapitan, dati daw konting ulan lang mapupuno na itong creek na ito, wala na, baha na lahat. Magandang investment ang mobile pump, hindi mahal tapos very effective, nakita na namin ang effectiveness,” Dizon said.
Plans are being explored to implement similar flood mitigation measures in other barangays, including nature-based solutions such as earth dikes and bamboo cribbing to help reinforce vulnerable areas and address flooding concerns.
Fernando expressed his appreciation for DPWH’s continued assistance in addressing unfinished and incomplete flood control projects in Hagonoy, particularly future plans for the closure of existing gaps and the implementation of complementary measures to improve drainage and water management.
“May mga gap talaga na naka bukas dito, kaya nagpapasalamat tayo sa DPWH, ngayon ay tatakpan nila ang mga gap, nagdedredge kami, tulung-tulong kami, kasi ang kailangan po talaga dito ay ang pagututulungan ng bawat isa, andiyan po ang Provincial Government, nakahanda, at bibili din kami ng mobile pump,” Fernando stated.
Through sustained cooperation between the national and local governments, dredging, pumping operations, infrastructure rehabilitation, and nature-based interventions are expected to contribute to a more comprehensive approach to flood mitigation and the protection of flood-prone communities in Bulacan. (UnliNews Online)
