The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is shifting its strategy to integrate nature-based solutions alongside traditional concrete infrastructure to tackle chronic flooding in coastal communities, Secretary Vince Dizon said Wednesday.

Speaking after a meeting with Bulacan municipal mayors, officials from the Embassy of the Netherlands, representatives from the Asian Development Bank, and engineering consultancy firm Haskoning Phils. Inc., Dizon called for a fundamental change in the agency’s approach to flood management.

“Not every solution is concrete,” Dizon said. “We need to change this mindset. But we need to study this and learn from those who know and have already done this correctly so we won’t waste public funds again.”

The discussions focused on vulnerable Bulacan towns situated along Manila Bay, with proposal options including earth dikes, expanded mangrove habitats, and deeper natural detention basins.

Dizon said that planning for the earth dikes is expected to take six months, with implementation targeted for the middle of next year, while work on detention basins will begin sooner.

The agency plans to combine conventional engineering with environmental restoration to establish sustainable flood defenses.