Posted on August 24, 2026
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Lito Lapid on Sunday said he sees the dredging of rivers as a key solution to the recurring flooding in Central Luzon.
The senator continued his relief operations in Pampanga, delivering assistance to flood-affected residents in the towns of Sasmuan and Guagua.
In an interview in Guagua, Lapid stresed that Pampanga, Bulacan and Nueva Ecija serve as “catch basins” during floods, particularly when dams release water.
“The Pampanga River needs to be dredged because it has become too shallow, causing water from Manila Bay to backflow. Our fellow residents in Bulacan, Pampanga and Nueva Ecija are suffering because they frequently experience flooding. Dredging is really the solution,” he said.
“It’s like putting ice in a glass, which causes the water to overflow. Remove the ice, and the water level will go down and the glass will have more capacity again,” he added.
Sasmuan Mayor Catalina Cabrera and Guagua Mayor Anthony Joseph “Tonton” Torres thanked Lapid for providing assistance to residents affected by the flooding.
Around 2,000 families in Sasmuan and Guagua received food packs during the relief operations.
Last Thursday, Lapid distributed 4,000 family food packs to affected residents in the towns of Minalin, Macabebe, Masantol and Candaba in Pampanga.
