Bulacan residents stage mass rally against flooding, graft

CITY OF MALOLOS – More than 300 Bulacan residents staged a mass protest on Monday to voice their frustrations over persistent flooding and alleged official misconduct, as 34 people's organizations united behind the "Kilos Bulacan" initiative. The rally, held near the provincial Capitol grounds, represented one of the largest coordinated demonstrations by civil society groups in the region in recent months. Organizers called for the immediate halt of land reclamation projects they say have worsened waterlogging conditions across the province. The groups also demanded the prosecution of national and local officials allegedly complicit in corruption schemes that have diverted resources from flood mitigation efforts. The protest underscores growing public frustration in Bulacan, where monsoon rains and poor drainage have displaced thousands of residents in recent years. Provincial officials have faced mounting criticism over their management of the recurring disasters and questions about the handling of infrastructure projects. The "Kilos Bulacan" coalition indicated the rally would not be their final action, signaling plans for sustained pressure on policymakers to address the province's drainage infrastructure and governance challenges.