Calumpit residents march in transparency call amid flood, corruption

CALUMPIT, Bulacan — Residents of this flood-prone Bulacan town marched in the streets over the weekend to demand full transparency as public works crews proceed with flood control infrastructure that were tied to anomalies last year. 

Zul Kifli Magat, spokesperson of the movement Tindig Calumpitenyo, led a 1,500-strong rally on Sunday (September 20); marking the first anniversary since massive anomalies were detected in many flood-control projects of the  First District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways. Counted among the anomalies was a P54-million flood-control project in Calumpit. 

READ: Calumpit declares state of calamity

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The protesters representing various sectors in Calumpit gathered at Gatbuca Bridge and the municipal hall before marching for more than an hour towards the Caniogan Linear Park.

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Magat said they are relying on the promise made by Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon that the Calumpit projects will be completed by the first quarter of 2027.

These were stalled because of an internal investigation to determine if the government released appropriations for “ghost” projects under Bulacan’s first district engineering office in Barangays Frances, Bulusan and Calizon. 

Dizon had informed Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando and several Bulacan officials last week that the flood control projects have resumed, including remedial work on projects that were stopped midstream. 

At that meeting, newly installed DPWH Bulacan First District Engineer Kenneth Edward Fernando assured Dizon and the Bulacan officials that these projects would be completed next year. 

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In a telephone interview on Monday (September 21), Magat said protesters want routine updates about the progress being made on these projects, and access so they could help monitor them. 

“If they could close those dikes, that will be of huge help to the commentates,” he said.

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Many areas in Calumpit remain flooded following weeks of monsoon rains, prompting schools to continue alternative learning protocols. Many schools are also loxstednin areas suffering blackouts, according to records from the municipal disaster risk reduction management office (MDRRMO). 

Magat also raised the situation in Barangays Meysulao and San Miguel at the boundaries of Pampanga which are submerged in flood waters throughout the year. “The old dike in the areas could no longer block out floods,” he said. 

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The Tindig Calumpit rally drew participants who wore black shirts as a symbol of mourning and protest. A group of protesters arrived, covered in mud to represent communities that are constantly submerged by floodwaters. INQ