62,363 metric tons of waste cleared from Alabang River
A total of 62,363 metric tons of silt and waste have been removed from the Alabang River in Muntinlupa, clearing the critical stretch of the waterway and boosting flood resilience in surrounding communities.
The cleanup, initiated by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), targeted areas bounded by subdivisions, public roads, and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), where flooding has long been a concern.
The rehabilitation began at the river's mouth at Laguna de Bay, passing through Cupang Bridge and extending to the section near the PNR Railway Bridge. Work is now progressing upstream toward the Alabang Viaduct, a flood-prone area that experienced severe inundation in July 2025.
Since 2020, coordinated river cleanup operations across Metro Manila and nearby provinces have removed nine million tons of silt and garbage from at least 10 major river systems.
The corporation started the clearing operations of the river upon the request of the Muntinlupa City government and in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
SMC said improved river flow has already been observed as rehabilitation of the critical waterway progresses ahead of the rainy season.
In addition to dredging, SMC is also implementing river widening works to improve the Alabang River’s carrying capacity and boost flood mitigation.
These efforts complement local government-led efforts to relocate informal settler families (ISFs) situated along the riverbanks, and the removal of sheet piles that have encroached into the river, which have restricted water flow and increased flood risk.
“Through these ongoing clean-up and rehabilitation efforts, SMC reaffirms its long-term commitment to flood mitigation and environmental rehabilitation under the Better Rivers PH program, working closely with local government units to protect communities and promote cleaner, safer, and more resilient waterways,” said SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon Ang.
Better Rivers PH operations in other areas have removed silt and waste, including 179,558 metric tons from the Las Piñas River system; 368,414 metric tons from the Parañaque River system, spanning 9.14 kilometers; and 93,550 metric tons from rivers in Laguna (Landayan, San Pedro, and Silang-Sta. Rosa).
North of Metro Manila, the start of the cleanup of the Tullahan River upstream in Novaliches area has removed 20,536 metric tons of waste; and the Tanza River in Navotas, where 5,166 tons of waste have been removed.
Ongoing cleanup operations along the Tabang River in Bulakan and Malolos, Bulacan have reached 8.03 kilometers, with 29,488 metric tons of waste and silt collected.
Along with previously completed cleanups of the Bulacan, Pampanga, and Laguna river systems, as well as the Tullahan, Pasig, San Juan, and Navotas rivers, Better Rivers PH has rehabilitated a total river length of 184.33 kilometers, removing 9.01 million metric tons of garbage, silt, and debris as of March 22.