Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda on Monday called on private sector partners to provide engineering and technical assistance for feasibility studies and infrastructure projects aimed at addressing the province’s recurring flooding.
Pineda specifically appealed to local investors and major corporations operating in the province, including San Miguel Corporation, SM, Ayala, and NLEX, to lend their engineers and planners to government agencies working on long-term flood mitigation measures.
“Humihingi ako ng tulong dito sa aking local investor. Andito yung San Miguel, andito yung SM, Ayala, NLEX. Sana tumulong ‘yung magagaling nilang mga engineer, yung mga planner nila, yung gumagawa ng feasibility study,” Pineda said during an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos.
She also urged the private sector to assist the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), saying the extent of damage caused by flooding and other disasters nationwide could overwhelm the government’s resources.
“Tulungan nila ‘yung NIA, tulungan nila yung DPWH kasi sa nationwide ng mga damage, di nakakayanin ng Department of Public Works,” she added.
Pineda said the province urgently needs additional dams to help control the large volume of water and debris flowing toward low-lying areas.
Pampanga, being a downstream province, receives substantial amounts of water from surrounding areas, including Nueva Ecija, Aurora and the Zambales mountain ranges, making it vulnerable to widespread flooding during periods of heavy rain.
The governor also said private companies could help by providing engineers and planners to support technical assessments, conduct feasibility studies and develop long-term infrastructure solutions, including the proposed construction of dams.
She made the appeal following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visit to flood-affected areas, where the government has renewed its focus on building infrastructure to better manage surface water and irrigation.
Last week, Marcos announced plans to construct five sabo dams in Nueva Ecija in 2027 as part of efforts to mitigate flooding in Central Luzon during periods of heavy rainfall.
A sabo dam is a structure built across mountain streams or rivers to trap mud, sand, rocks and other debris before these reach downstream communities.
Pineda said collaboration between the government and private sector would be crucial in developing large-scale flood control measures capable of handling the increasing volume of water flowing from mountainous areas into downstream provinces.
