The Department of Public Works and Highways is accelerating flood-control interventions along the Pampanga River, including upstream dams and retention basins, to protect vulnerable communities from severe flooding and prevent waterborne diseases. These infrastructure projects aim to shield residents in Arayat, Mexico, and San Fernando from the health risks associated with prolonged inundation.
Engineering Solutions to Protect Communities
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has announced that upstream flood-control interventions along the Pampanga River will begin soon, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to strengthen flood-control measures in the river basin . Five dams and detention basins are set for construction upstream starting in 2027, which will help control massive water volumes before they reach low-lying areas . The DPWH is also expediting immediate structural reinforcements, including the installation of gabions in Barangay Candating and 24-meter-deep steel sheet piles in Barangay Cupang to reinforce riverbanks and prevent erosion . These projects are expected to help protect flood-prone communities in Arayat and the neighboring municipalities of Mexico and San Fernando.
Retention Basins and Infrastructure Upgrades
In response to a collapsed flood control dike in Arayat, the DPWH is building a retention basin in Barangay Candating to capture water runoff and minimize flood impact . Secretary Dizon explained that this man-made pond or lake will collect runoff so floodwater will not make as much impact on the barangays of Cupang and Candating . The DPWH is also studying the permanent relocation of residents and determining the appropriate distance for a no-build zone in the area . Meanwhile, structural reinforcement is being expedited in Barangay Cupang, where continuous slope protection and steel sheet piles are being installed along the Apalit-Arayat setback levee to secure this critical defense line.
Protecting Public Health Through Infrastructure
Pampanga's topography and low elevation make municipalities like San Fernando, Mexico, and parts of Arayat highly susceptible to prolonged inundation . When floodwaters stagnate and mix with local waterways, the risk of waterborne illnesses such as leptospirosis, dengue, and cholera rises significantly . The DOH has previously responded to flooding emergencies by opening makeshift hospitals and reminding residents to take preventive health measures, as leptospirosis cases tend to rise during flood events . These targeted engineering projects aim to prevent stagnant, disease-carrying water from reaching communities, creating a safer environment for thousands of families while safeguarding public health .
