Gov’t sets massive waterway cleanup, dredging to prepare for rainy season in 2026

Metro Manila, Philippines – A massive waterway and drainage cleanup and dredging activities will be carried out in Metro Manila and other urbanized cities to mitigate floods for the rainy season next year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

At the launch of “Oplan Kontra Baha” in Parañaque City, Marcos said the regular cleanup will now be part of the annual maintenance and other operating expenses of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). 

In Metro Manila alone, a total of 142.4 kilometers of rivers, creeks, and estuaries and over 333 kilometers of drainage systems will be cleared and fixed.

Marcos said the flood control effort will be carried out in over 10 areas, including flood-prone provinces, such as Bulacan and Pampanga, and the storm-ravaged Cebu. 

“Ang estimate ng ating siyentipiko ay sabi nila mababawasan ng up to 60 percent ang pagbaha kung ito ay maging maayos na. Mas mababawasan pa ang baha kapag naayos natin ang mga pumping station,” he said. 

[Translation: Our scientists estimated that the waterway cleanup may reduce 60 percent of flooding if this is done right. We can reduce it even more if pumping stations are fixed.]

Mahar Lagmay, executive director of Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards), said the cleanup drive may help flooding subside quickly. 

Marcos said the government is also planning to change the locations of inefficient pumping stations, as some equipment only obstructed waterflow and even worsened flooding. 

He also noted that some heavy equipment – which remained idle for seven years – will be used for dredging and cleanup efforts. 

“Never nagamit dahil kailangan daw itago for the “Big One.” Pero ito na yata ang Big One when it comes to flooding. Ano pang hinihintay natin? Kaya’t nailabas na natin lahat, gagamitin na natin lahat iyan,” Marcos said, noting the private sector also helped augment the equipment to be used.

[Translation: It’s never been used because they said it needs to be saved for the Big One. But this might already be the Big One when it comes to flooding. What are we still waiting for? So let’s bring everything out, we’ll use all of it now.]

San Miguel Corporation President Ramon Ang and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation Chairman Manny Pangilinan joined the program’s launch. 

In August, Ang pledged to help solve flooding woes at no cost to the government.