President Marcos has led the launch of Oplan Kontra Baha, a large-scale flood mitigation program that aims to reduce flooding in Metro Manila by as much as 60 percent through continuous dredging, desiltation, and clearing of major waterways.

Speaking at the launch of the Greater Metro Manila Waterways Clearing and Cleaning Operations in Parañaque City on Wednesday, Nov. 12, Marcos said the initiative was born out of studies showing that shallow spillways and accumulated garbage are the main causes of severe flooding.

“Malaking bahagi sa flooding ay ang siltation—masyado nang mababaw ang ating mga spillway, pangalawa, ay ang basura na nagkukumpol-kumpol para hindi na nga makadaan (A big part of the flooding problem is caused by siltation—our spillways are too shallow—and by garbage blocking the water flow),” he said.

He said the nine-month initial phase of the project will continue until mid-2026, but clearing and maintenance work will be sustained yearly.

“Hindi ito maaaring gawin na minsan lang. Ito ay patuloy nating gagawin (This cannot be done just once. We will keep doing this regularly),” he added.

The President emphasized that the program’s success depends on the joint efforts of the national government, local government units, and the private sector.

“Hindi kaya ng national government lamang. Hindi kaya ng LGU lamang. Hindi kaya ng private sector lamang (The national government, LGUs, or the private sector alone cannot solve this),” he said.

Marcos particularly cited business leaders Manny Pangilinan and Ramon Ang for volunteering manpower and heavy equipment to assist in the desilting and cleaning operations.

According to the Chief Executive, Oplan Kontra Baha will also be implemented in other flood-prone areas, citing results from Project NOAH and consultations with local leaders nationwide.

“We will also bring Kontra Baha to Cebu, Bacolod, Roxas City, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Pangasinan, Cotabato, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and other places na madalas na mabaha (often hit by flooding),” he said.

He added that the government will coordinate closely with LGUs to identify priority zones for dredging and waterway rehabilitation.

The President said Oplan Kontra Baha is just one part of a long-term strategy to mitigate flooding in the country’s major cities.

“This is not an instant solution. We have to do many things,” Marcos said.

He added that future measures will include relocating faulty pumping stations, rehabilitating watersheds, and building upstream water impounding systems to control water flow during heavy rainfall.

“Once we get the majority of this done, maramdaman na kaagad natin na pagdating ulit ng tag-ulan next year, malaki na ‘yung mababawasan sa flooding (Once most of this is completed, by the next rainy season we’ll already feel a big reduction in flooding),” the President said.

Meanwhile, President Marcos said he had ordered the immediate use of dredging and desilting equipment of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which had been idle in its warehouses since 2018.

“Nakatengga lang doon sa warehouse ng DPWH (They’ve been sitting unused in DPWH warehouses),” he said.

“Ito na yata ‘yung big one when it comes to flooding. Ano pang hinihintay natin (This might already be the big one when it comes to flooding. What are we waiting for)?” he added.

The President said the DPWH will incorporate waterway cleaning and desiltation into its Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) to make the project sustainable.

The first phase involves removing about three meters (10 feet) of accumulated silt on average to restore normal water flow in major drainage channels.