San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) “Better Rivers PH” initiative has removed 93,000 tons of silt and waste from Parañaque rivers as of January 23, 2025. This effort aims to improve water flow and address perennial flooding at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and surrounding areas.
The cleanup covers 1.9 kilometers of river channels, including the Parañaque River, Don Galo River, and their junctions with the San Dionisio and Villanueva creeks.
In addition to river cleanups, SMC has also de-clogged storm drain lines along Domestic Road and NAIA Terminal 4. This included reopening 54 manholes and constructing 10 new ones for better access and maintenance. These upgrades are seen to sustain flood prevention efforts around the airport complex.
SMC’s efforts carried out at no cost to the government or taxpayers, are part of a broader mission to restore waterways and reduce flooding in urban areas.
Bathymetric surveys in Parañaque identified bottlenecks in river systems that restricted water flow to Manila Bay, prompting targeted cleanup and desilting operations in critical areas.
The project benefits from the active involvement of key government agencies such as the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the local government of Parañaque.
“Flooding has been a long-standing issue for Parañaque and NAIA, particularly during typhoon season,” said SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang. “Through Better Rivers PH and with support from government agencies, we were able to implement sustainable solutions that we hope will deliver lasting benefits to residents, businesses, and travelers.”
Since its launch in 2020, SMC’s Better Rivers PH has removed over 8 million tons of silt and waste from 156 kilometers of rivers across Luzon, including major waterways like the Pasig River, Tullahan River, and San Juan River. SMC also continues similar cleanups in Laguna and Navotas City.
