Flood-hit Bulacan gets seawall probe

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will investigate and rehabilitate damaged seawalls and coastal dikes in flood-hit Hagonoy and Paombong, Bulacan, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to address the province’s persistent flooding.

Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. and Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon inspected the affected areas Saturday, including coastal defenses in Barangays Masukol and Sta. Cruz in Paombong.

Dizon said the seawalls and coastal dikes were improperly designed as inland dikes despite facing the open waters of Manila Bay, leaving them vulnerable to waves and strong currents. He said contractors would be compelled to rehabilitate structures still covered by warranties.

The DPWH said it also plans to install hexapods in vulnerable areas and develop a comprehensive master plan for coastal protection. Emergency crews were working to temporarily plug damaged portions of the dikes while experts review the design.

The structures are linked to at least 29 Commission on Audit reports involving allegedly anomalous, overpriced, or ghost flood-control projects in Bulacan’s First Congressional District.

In Hagonoy, waist-deep floodwaters have submerged several barangays for more than two weeks, with residents citing heavy monsoon rains, high tides and infrastructure failures.

‘Binaboy’

Residents also blamed an unfinished floodgate in Barangay Iba, which they said had blocked the natural flow of water into the river and trapped floodwaters in nearby communities.

Abalos called for accountability over the allegedly compromised flood-control projects. “Bulacan has been badly abused (binaboy). Those responsible should be held accountable and jailed,” Abalos said. “It’s all about transparency and accountability.”

The DPWH has faced scrutiny over flood-control projects in Bulacan after congressional and Senate hearings uncovered alleged ghost and substandard projects.

About P9.49 billion was allocated for the province’s First District from 2022 to 2025. Local officials, including Hagonoy Mayor Charo Sy-Alvarado-Mendoza and Paombong Mayor Mac Marcos, joined the inspection.

Hundreds of residents, youth groups and church leaders have also staged marches through floodwaters, demanding accountability and long-term solutions to the province’s recurring flooding.