SMC backs Alabang River cleanup at no cost to gov’t

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has expanded its Better Rivers PH program to Alabang River in Muntinlupa City, in partnership with the local government and at no expense to taxpayers. The project aims to clear obstructions and widen constricted sections of the waterway to mitigate flooding that has long affected nearby communities and key road networks.

In just two months, SMC’s cleanup teams have removed over 26,000 tons of silt and waste from a 450-meter stretch of the river, starting from its mouth at Laguna de Bay and extending upstream toward Cupang Bridge.

The initiative follows the July 8 floods that left motorists stranded for hours along South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). A post-flood investigation revealed that the Alabang River had become heavily silted and narrowed by informal structures and new construction, preventing rainwater from flowing freely.
SMC immediately presented these findings to Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon, who welcomed the company’s voluntary support. By July 25, dredging operations were underway with full coordination from the Muntinlupa City Engineering Office, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and nearby private stakeholders.

As part of the cleanup, newly installed sheet piles by a private contractor were removed after being found to obstruct the river’s flow. Future measures will also include the relocation of informal settler families (ISFs) along the riverbanks, with emphasis on dignity, safety, and proper support for affected households.

“Our goal is to provide long-term solutions that ease flooding for Muntinlupa’s communities and critical roadways,” said SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang. “We are grateful to Mayor Ruffy Biazon for uniting the concerned agencies to adopt a comprehensive approach to this urgent problem.”

Mayor Biazon likewise praised the initiative, calling it a vital component of the city’s broader flood management strategy.

Since launching Better Rivers PH in 2020, SMC has removed 8.6 million tons of silt and waste from 165 kilometers of rivers and tributaries across Metro Manila and nearby provinces—all at no cost to government.

Apart from Alabang River, SMC has been carrying out cleanup operations in other waterways as well. In Parañaque, around the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the company has so far removed 268,979 tons of debris from 5.9 kilometers of rivers. In Navotas, it has cleared 256,920 tons from 2.8 kilometers of waterways, while in San Pedro, Laguna, it has taken out 479,278 tons from 6.2 kilometers of rivers. In Las Piñas, 19,842 tons of waste have been removed from its river system.

SMC also resumed dredging at Tullahan River, where it had previously cleared 1.12 million tons of waste from 10.9 kilometers of waterways in 2022. Surveys revealed fresh siltation and garbage build-up, prompting renewed operations.
Earlier, SMC reported completing cleanup works in the Pasig, San Juan, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Biñan river systems.