A community in Calumpit, Bulacan remains swamped in floodwaters on August 21, 2026 after weeks of heavy rains.The STAR / Ryan Baldemor
MANILA, Philippines — The government plans to build five sabo dams in Nueva Ecija and is studying a roughly 100-kilometer road-dike toward Bataan as part of longer-term efforts to reduce flooding in Central Luzon, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said.
On Monday, August 24, Marcos announced the plans after a situation briefing in San Fernando City, Pampanga, on the effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon, or habagat, on Region 3.
He said the five sabo dams would help slow water flowing down from upland areas near the Sierra Madre, reduce sediment buildup and store water that could later be used by households, industries and farms.
“‘Yan ay makakatulong para bawasan ang bilis nang pagbaba ng tubig, mabawasan ang siltation, at makakapag-ipon pa tayo ng tubig para gamitin for household use, industrial, for irrigation sa agrikultura,” Marcos said.
(“That will help slow the flow of water, reduce siltation and allow us to store water for household and industrial use and agricultural irrigation.”)
A sabo dam is a small barrier built across mountain streams to trap rocks, soil and other debris while slowing the flow of water downstream. The structure helps reduce sediment buildup and the force of runoff reaching low-lying communities.
Road-dike toward Bataan
Marcos said the government is also studying a road-dike extending toward Pilar, Bataan, to help block water coming from Manila Bay.
“This is the long-term plan, sa kasalukuyan ay pinag-aaralan ngayon natin,” Marcos said. “That is about a hundred kilometers kaya medyo matatagalan.”
(“This is the long-term plan, and we are currently studying it. That is about a hundred kilometers, so it will take some time.”)
The proposed road-dike is among broader plans being studied to protect low-lying areas around Manila Bay from flooding.
Climate change, unfinished projects
Marcos said problems with flood-control projects were not the only factor behind the severe flooding in Central Luzon. He also pointed to the unusually intense rainfall, which he attributed to climate change.
“Kailangan maunawaan din ng tao na ‘yung climate change ay talagang nandito na at nandiyan tayo naaapektuhan,” Marcos said.
(“People also need to understand that climate change is already here and we are being affected by it.”)
The President also acknowledged that some flood-control projects, particularly in Bulacan, had not been completed and said damaged infrastructure would be repaired.
He said the government would pursue immediate, medium-term and long-term measures as flooding continued to affect parts of Central Luzon.