President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the official launch of “Oplan Kontra Baha: Gateway Metro Manila Waterways Clearing and Dredging Operation”, a large-scale initiative aimed at addressing persistent flooding problems in the Metro Mnaila and other flood-prone areas across the country.
In an interview with the reporters, the President spearheaded the activity at Balihatar Creek in Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque City, alongside Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon.
"Oplan Kontra Baha ang tawag namin dito dahil napag-aralan namin ng mabuti at malaking bahagi sa flooding at ang siltation. Masyado ng mababaw nag ating mga spillway. Pangalawa ay nag basura na nagkukumpol-kumpol para hindi na nga makadaan.
Ang una natin kailangan gawin ay linisin ang lahat ng mga estero, lahat ng mga spillway upang mas malalim ang pagdadaanan ng tubig. Pangalawa, para maayos natin at maging mas maganda ang pagtakbo ng tubig para hindi nga maiwan ang lupa na galing sa taas," he said.
"Hindi ito maaring gawin na minsan lang. Ito ay patuloy nating gagawin hindi natin titigilan ito," he added.
Marcos said the program is now part of the DPWH’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MMOE), which requires yearly maintenance.
He added that 10 feet of excavation is needed to ensure proper water flow. The first phase of Oplan Kontra Baha will continue until June and July of 2026. After nine months, regular cleaning operations will still be carried out.
"Ang isa pa na nakita nating problema ay nag paglagay ng pumping station na mali , marami sa mga pumping station natin mula ng itinayo ay hindi pa gumana kahit minsan, hindi nag-operate kahit minsan...Dahil 'yung pumping station mismo sa paglagay nila 'yon pa nag nakaharang sa tubig. Imbes na magbigay ng solusyon, ito pa nag naging problema," Marcos emphasized.
During the launch, various Metro Manila mayors were present, along with business titans Ramon Ang, who plan and Manuel V. Pangilinan, who lended some of the equipments in the activity.
"Malaking tulong ang pagsasama ng LGU at saka ng national government. Hindi kaya ng kahit na national government lamang. Hindi kaya ng LGU lamang. Hindi kaya ng private sector, ng mga negosyante hindi nila kaya na sila lang. Kailangan magtulungan," Marcos.
"Ang estimate ng ating mga siyentipiko, sabi nila na mababawasan ng up 60% ang pagbaha kung ito ay maging maayos na. Mas mababawasan pa ang baha kapag naayos na natin ang pumping station," he added.
Simultaneous clean-up and dredging operations were also conducted in several key sites, including Tuno and Sunog Apog Pumping Station in Manila, Las Piñas River, San Juan River in Quezon City, and Caingin Creek in Bulacan.
He noted that similar operations will be conducted in Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Pangasinan, and in major cities in the Visayas and Mindanao, including Cebu, Bacolod, Roxas City, Cotabato, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro, with possible expansion to low-lying areas.
In a report by RH Leth Narciso on dzRH's Damdaming Bayan, according to the DPWH, a total of 120 waterway waste sites have been identified, with 30 classified as critical due to heavy clogging and debris accumulation.
The project is a joint directive of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and DPWH, in collaboration with local government units and other national agencies.
It expands upon an original flood mitigation plan initiated by San Miguel Corporation CEO Ang, with support from local mayors to fast-track anti-flooding solutions.
Under the program, waterways, esteros, drainage systems, and pumping stations will undergo continuous clearing and dredging operations over a nine-month period, extending beyond the rainy season. Telescopic backhoes and other heavy equipment will be used to remove accumulated solid waste and sediments from water channels.
The plan also includes the removal of non-functional flood control structures and the relocation of informal settlers residing along waterways to prevent further obstruction and flooding.
