Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

Bulacan is being hit by floodwaters from three directions as high tide, backflow from the Pampanga River Basin, and rising water from upstream tributaries simultaneously affect low-lying and coastal communities, the provincial disaster management office said Monday.Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Manuel Lukban Jr. said coastal communities were experiencing flooding of about three feet shortly after the day’s high tide peaked, particularly in Hagonoy, Paombong, and Calumpit.Parts of Bulakan, Malolos, Meycauayan, and Obando were also affected, although water levels in some areas had fallen to around one foot as the tide began to recede.“Tatlong factor &#x27;yan. Una, iyong sinabi natin, &#x27;yong high tide. Pangalawa, &#x27;yong back-flooding natin sa Pampanga River Basin. At iyong pangatlo, &#x27;yong mismong along riverways natin na tributaries na bumabagsak sa Marilao, Santa Maria, at Guiguinto rivers,” Lukban said.The second source of flooding is water flowing from Pampanga, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija toward Bulacan through the Candaba area, affecting communities near the boundaries of San Ildefonso, San Rafael, San Miguel, and Baliwag. Lukban said some areas were experiencing water levels of about three feet.He said the Marilao River carries water from Rizal and Doña Remedios Trinidad toward Manila Bay, while the Santa Maria River also drains water from upstream areas before reaching Bocaue and Balagtas. The Guiguinto River, meanwhile, contributes to flooding in Guiguinto and aggravates flooding in Balagtas.The situation has left thousands displaced, although the number of evacuees has declined as weather conditions improved over the weekend.Lukban said more than 5,800 individuals, or about 1,771 families, remained in evacuation centers as of Monday, down from around 11,000 individuals recorded the previous week.Calumpit accounted for the largest number of evacuees at 3,447 individuals, followed by Hagonoy with more than 780 and Malolos with 568.<div> </div><div>DISASTER RESPONSE EFFORTS</div>The provincial government said its immediate efforts remain centered on rescue operations, assistance to residents crossing flooded areas, and relief operations, while major flood mitigation projects fall under the national government.“Ang ating lalawigan, in coordination po sa gabay ng ating Gov. Daniel Fernando, in terms of response system, ay naka-prepare po tayo at any time. So, ang response po natin diyan in terms of rescue operation, iyong pagbibigay din po natin ng libreng tawid-baha, gano&#x27;n din po iyong ating halos araw-araw na ginagawang relief operation, ayun po iyong mga response natin,” Lukban said.He said the provincial disaster office is focused on preventive and forced evacuations while it awaits developments on major flood mitigation projects being handled at the national level.Bulacan, Bataan, and Pampanga, have proposed a major dike project stretching from Bataan toward Metro Manila. The proposed structure, according to Lukban, is intended to serve as a coastal barrier that could prevent high tide from entering vulnerable areas as quickly.“Ang ating provincial government, kasama po ang lalawigan ng Bataan at Pampanga ay nagkaisa po para mag-submit po ng isang proyekto. Ito po iyong malaking dike na magmumula ng Bataan hanggang NCR. Tatawagin po itong coastal road po from Bataan to NCR,” Lukban said.“Ito po ay magsisilbing dike para po sa prevention nitong high tide. Magkaroon po tayo ng control sa high tide na hindi makapasok kaagad. Ito po iyong isa sa mga major na dinulog ng ating provincial government na matulungan po ng national,” he added.<div> </div><div>DROWNING INCIDENTS</div>The provincial government has also intensified precautions along rivers and waterways following previous drowning incidents, including in the Marilao River area in San Jose del Monte.Lukban said the provincial disaster risk management council had ordered the prohibition of swimming in rivers and called on barangays and local governments to help monitor waterways and keep residents safe.He urged parents to prevent children from playing or swimming in rivers and other waterways, warning that water levels can rise suddenly.He also warned residents against unnecessary exposure to floodwaters because of the risk of leptospirosis, urging families to remain indoors when possible.

Bulacan is being hit by floodwaters from three directions as high tide, backflow from the Pampanga River Basin, and rising water from upstream tributaries simultaneously affect low-lying and coastal communities, the provincial disaster management office said Monday.

Bulacan is being hit by floodwaters from three directions as high tide, backflow from the Pampanga River Basin, and rising water from upstream tributaries simultaneously affect low-lying and coastal communities, the provincial disaster management office said Monday.

Bulacan flooded from 3 directions: High tide, Pampanga backflow, tributaries

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Bulacan flooded from 3 directions: High tide, Pampanga backflow, tributaries

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 17, 2026 04:56 PM PHT

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