San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has removed 8 million tons of silt and waste from 136 kilometers of river systems in Luzon as of the end of October 2024 as part of its “Better Rivers Ph” initiative.
Launched in 2020, this massive cleanup effort, funded entirely by SMC, targets major waterways such as the Tullahan, Pasig, and San Juan Rivers, as well as those in Bulacan, Pampanga, and Laguna.
By removing years of accumulated debris, SMC has already increased the rivers’ carrying capacity, allowed for faster drainage of floodwaters, and mitigated the impact of heavy rains.
Addressing the recurring challenge of silt and waste buildup
Recent monitoring reports, however, indicate that heavy rains have led to renewed silt buildup and waste accumulation in previously cleared areas.
“River cleanups are a continuous effort. Heavy rains bring eroded soil and improper disposal continue to be a challenge. Maintenance is very important to make sure these rivers continue to flow freely,” said SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang.
Ang said SMC’s river cleanup teams will soon return to affected areas, including the Tullahan, Pasig, and San Juan Rivers, to address the recurring buildup of silt, waste, and vegetation.
Expanding efforts to Pampanga River and beyond
SMC’s commitment to cleaner waterways now extends to the Pampanga River in Central Luzon, a major source of flooding in the province and downstream areas like Bulacan.
Since August, cleanup efforts have spanned 8.15 km of the river, removing 506,616 tons of silt and waste.
Vice Mayor Vince Flores of Macabebe, Pampanga whose coastal barangay of Consuelo sits beside the river, said: “Macabebe is very blessed to have SMC. Our town cannot afford large-scale dredging operations. SMC is the first private entity to help Macabebe in desilting the river, and we have felt how it has made a significant difference.”
He explained that despite efforts by the LGU to address flooding through road upgrades and drainage improvements, land subsidence has made the challenge too difficult to address.
Following SMC’s efforts, Flores said engineers from the LGU have confirmed that floodwaters now subside more quickly, as once nearly stagnant sections of the river are now flowing.
In addition to the Pampanga River, SMC teams are actively cleaning rivers in Biñan, Laguna, and around the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), while also clearing its drainage system.
