As part of its Better Rivers PH program, SMC said its cleanup operations aim to restore the depth, width, and natural water-carrying capacity of key river systems to improve drainage and reduce flooding in vulnerable, low-lying communities.

The latest update includes over 1.04 million metric tons of materials recently cleared from four river systems under maintenance operations aligned with the government’s Oplan Kontra Baha program. These covered 24.29 kilometers of waterways across the Tullahan River, San Juan River, Laguna river systems, and the Bulacan River System.

“These river systems were among those we previously cleaned, but keeping them clear requires continuous maintenance,” said SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang. “This work supports Oplan Kontra Baha and is part of our commitment to sustain the gains we’ve achieved and prevent renewed flooding risks caused by waste buildup.”

Since 2020, SMC has completed major cleanup operations across 10 river systems, including Bulacan, Pampanga, Pasig, Tullahan, San Juan, Navotas, and Laguna, covering a total of 188.48 kilometers of waterways.

Key cleanup achievements

The Bulacan River System recorded the largest volume in the latest maintenance cycle, with 710,168 metric tons removed from 13.38 kilometers covering the Maycapiz–Taliptip–Bambang River and portions of the Meycauayan River.

In the Tullahan River, spanning Manila, Navotas, Malabon, Valenzuela, and Caloocan, SMC cleared 144,324 metric tons across 4.37 kilometers.

Along the San Juan River, 83,289 metric tons were extracted from 4.54 kilometers, covering sections from the Pasig River junction through Mandaluyong and San Juan up to Talayan in Quezon City. The company is also assisting in the partial removal of a structure obstructing flow in Matalahib Creek.

In Laguna, operations along the Biñan and San Isidro rivers yielded 107,192 metric tons from two kilometers of waterways.

Other ongoing works include:

Parañaque River System – 378,288 metric tons from 9.62 kilometers
Landayan–San Pedro–Silang-Santa Rosa rivers (Laguna) – 130,679 metric tons from 1.30 kilometers
Alabang River – 64,837 metric tons from 1.03 kilometers
Las Piñas River System – 198,477 metric tons from 2.36 kilometers
Tabang River (Bulacan) – 36,838 metric tons from 9.30 kilometers
Tanza River (Navotas) – 10,441 metric tons from 0.38 kilometer

In March, SMC also expanded operations upstream in the Tullahan River in Quezon City, particularly in Fairview and Novaliches, where it has so far removed 51,350 metric tons from 1.5 kilometers of waterways.

Ang said the program has already resulted in improved water flow in several areas, but stressed that sustained results depend on continued maintenance and public cooperation.

“After cleaning and restoring these waterways, we need collective discipline to keep them clear,” Ang said. “Proper waste segregation and disposal will help prevent clogging in drainage systems, allowing rainwater to flow properly into rivers and out to Manila Bay. This is a simple but critical step in reducing flooding in our communities.”