THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it has begun demolishing a substandard dike in Barangay Calizon, Calumpit, Bulacan, to replace it with a stronger structure, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to fix defective flood control projects nationwide.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon personally inspected the project alongside Calumpit Mayor Lem Faustino, where workers have started driving massive 15-meter sheet piles deep into the ground to reinforce the riverbank and prevent future collapse.
The project covers the flood control structure along the Bagbag River, an area long plagued by severe flooding during heavy rains and typhoons.
According to the DPWH, the old dike was considered too weak to withstand strong water pressure during major flooding events.
The reconstruction forms part of the government’s intensified campaign against substandard infrastructure projects, particularly flood control systems that have repeatedly failed during disasters.
Dizon said the new structure would be significantly stronger and elevated higher than the previous barrier to improve protection for nearby communities.
The upgraded river control project is expected to shield around 3,000 residents from recurring floods that have disrupted lives and damaged property in the area.
Residents of Barangay Calizon have long complained about overflowing waters whenever intense rains hit Bulacan and nearby provinces.
Local officials welcomed the reconstruction, saying it would provide safer communities and stronger disaster resilience for Calumpit residents.
The DPWH targets completion of the upgraded flood control project by March 2027 as authorities push to strengthen the country’s defenses against worsening floods and extreme weather.
The local government of Calumpit also thanked the national government for fast-tracking the project, stressing the urgent need for reliable flood protection infrastructure.
