photo: SMC
At least eight million tons of silt and waste were removed from 136 kilometers of river systems in Luzon since 2020, the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) said amid concerns on the worsening flooding problems in the country.
In a statement, SMC chairman and chief executive officer Ramon S. Ang said the company’s silt and waste removal program is part of the “Better Rivers PH” which paved the way to the massive clean-up effort in 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,” Ang said.
But the SMC admitted that the accumulation of silt and waste in Luzon’s river systems is a recurring problem, citing recent monitoring reports that recent heavy rains have led to renewed silt buildup and waste accumulation in previously cleared areas.
Ang, however, committed that the company will continue to address the problem.
“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,” Ang said.
“The 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,” he added.
In a statement, the SMC said its massive river cleanup drive 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.
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.