Central Luzon flooding prompts orders for long-term flood control

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered immediate and long-term flood-control measures in Central Luzon following severe flooding caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Neneng. Officials report that over 3.5 million people in the region have been affected, with more than 1 million families impacted across 1,666 barangays.

In response, the government is pursuing several infrastructure projects. Immediate actions include dredging waterways, constructing floodgates, and implementing five Sabo River Dams in Nueva Ecija to slow water flow from mountainous areas. For long-term mitigation, authorities are studying the construction of a 100-kilometer dike and road extending from parts of Central Luzon to Pilar, Bataan, to prevent seawater from Manila Bay from entering affected areas.

The flooding has caused significant damage, including 578 houses and over P933.7 million in agricultural losses. Marcos noted that while flood-control structures require repair, unusually heavy rainfall linked to climate change has also exacerbated the situation.