Authorities plan a large-scale dredging of the Pampanga River as part of preparations for the wet season, aiming to reduce long-standing flooding in the province.

Officials said priority areas include low-lying towns such as Masantol and Macabebe, which often suffer from severe floods.

The project will not cost the government, as private companies have offered to carry out the dredging operations. Authorities said coordination between government agencies and the private sector is expected to speed up the work and provide a long-term solution to flooding.

Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda said a private firm has committed equipment and resources for the project.

“Nag-offer ‘yung isang private sector, mayroon siyang dredging machine, mayroon siya lahat gagamitin niya for reclamation. Kung DPWH ‘yan, malabo na tayo na mabigyan tayo ng pondo kasi bilyon ‘yan para ma-dredge ang Pampanga Bay natin. Bilyon iyon, hindi naman tayo bibigyan ng bilyon ng national government, tapos may kontraktor pa, dadayain tayo,” she said.

She added that dredging could help clear silt that blocks water flow.

“Ang importante, makakatipid ng bilyon ang gobyerno kapag na-dredge ang Pampanga Bay na iyan kasi ‘yung pintoo palabas silted na, hindi makalabas ang tubig. Kaya sabi ko ASAP [as soon as possible]… kasi kapag umatras iyan, wala nang tutulong sa amin,” she said.