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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 93,000 tons of wastes removed from Parañaque rivers amid efforts to address flooding around NAIA

93,000 tons of wastes removed from Parañaque rivers amid efforts to address flooding around NAIA

Published Jan 28, 2025 10:44 am

NAIA river clean up.jpeg

SMC’s Better Rivers PH cleanup crews work on Don Galo River, with some other parts around the NAIA area requiring specialized equipment to tackle the challenging conditions of Parañaque’s waterways. (photo: SMC)

 

The San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has removed around 93,000 tons of silt and waste from Parañaque rivers since it launched a massive waterways clean-up drive after taking over the management and supervision of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In a statement, the SMC said the clean-up drive is under the “Better Rivers PH” and in the case of the Parañaque rivers, the effort aims to improve water flow and address perennial flooding at the NAIA and surrounding areas.

Ramon S. Ang, SMC’s chairman and chief executive officer, said the clean-up drive covers 1.9 kilometers of river channels, including the Parañaque River, Don Galo River, and their junctions with the San Dionisio and Villanueva creeks.

He said this was was carried out at no cost to the government or taxpayers,

“Flooding has been a long-standing issue for Parañaque and NAIA, particularly during typhoon season. 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,” said Ang. 

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.

river clean up.jpeg

Drainage pipes leading to Parañaque River are cleared of all sorts of garbage that impede water outflow, allowing floodwaters to recede more quickly. (photo: SMC)

 

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, according to Ang, are seen to sustain flood prevention efforts around the airport complex.

Since its launch in 2020, SMC’s Better Rivers PH has removed over eight 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.

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