President Marcos inspected the ongoing drainage improvement project along G. Araneta Avenue in Quezon City as part of the government’s intensified flood mitigation campaign under “Oplan Kontra Baha.”

During the inspection, the President emphasized the importance of continuous drainage clearing, excavation, and rehabilitation works in flood-prone areas to improve public safety and reduce flooding.

“Dito historically pagka masyadong malakas ang ulan o kahit basta umulan lang baha agad dito (Historically, whenever the rain becomes too strong — or even when it simply rains — this area immediately floods),” he said Wednesday, May 20.

“Pagka malakas ang ulan, lumalagpas sa tao ang tubig (When the rains are heavy, the floodwaters rise above a person’s height),” he added.

Marcos said the Araneta area is among the government’s current flood control priorities, although similar projects are also being implemented across Metro Manila and other flood-prone areas nationwide.

Ongoing pipe-laying activities in the area are expected to be completed next week, while the construction of a pumping station is targeted to begin within the year.

“These are the strategies we are employing… Isa lang ito. Napakarami na ang ginagawa natin around Metro Manila at sa buong Pilipinas — to find a way to flood control (These are the strategies we are employing… This is only one of them. We are doing many projects around Metro Manila and across the Philippines to find ways to control flooding),” the President said.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, who accompanied President Marcos during the inspection, said residents have already begun experiencing some relief during recent heavy rains since the projects started.

“Pero hindi pa tayo makuntento doon. Kailangan tuloy-tuloy at matapos natin ito bago mag-June 

(But we should not be satisfied yet. The work must continue, and we need to finish this before June),” he said.

According to Dizon, the President directed that the project be completed before the full onset of the rainy season.

Launched in November 2025, “Oplan Kontra Baha” includes clearing operations along waterways, rehabilitation of drainage systems, and upgrades to pumping stations.

During the visit, Marcos also inspected ongoing pipe-laying works that will channel rainwater from Araneta Avenue toward the San Juan River.

The project includes installing large, high-density polyethylene pipes, upgrading water inlets, and improving outfall structures to increase drainage capacity and speed water flow during heavy rains.

The President also checked the operations of a temporary pumping unit being used to accelerate floodwater drainage into the San Juan River.

The drainage improvement project stretches about 758 meters from Kaliraya Street to E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue.

It involves the installation of two 1.50-meter-diameter HDPE pipes beneath the road to supplement the existing 0.91-meter drainage line under the sidewalk.

The project is funded by nearly P500 million under the Fiscal Year 2024 General Appropriations Act.

Construction began in March 2025 and is targeted for completion this May.

Before leaving the area, Marcos also spoke with residents and assured them of the government’s continuing efforts to improve flood control measures in their community