Highlights:
As of March 24, a total of 139,158 metric tons of debris had been extracted under the cleanup initiative, which spans approximately three kilometers of river channels, the San Miguel Corp.-led firm said in a statement on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
These include sections of the Parañaque River near Barangay Tambo, Don Galo River, and Villanueva Creek near Barangay La Huerta.
The initiative is part of the conglomerate’s Better Rivers PH program and is fully funded by NNIC and San Miguel.
Since taking over NAIA operations in September 2024, NNIC has made flood mitigation a core component of its infrastructure efforts.
“Protecting NAIA from flooding is a long-term investment in safety and reliability,” NNIC president Ramon Ang said. “We’re putting in the infrastructure needed to keep the airport flood-free, but we also need the public’s help. To everyone in the community, please don’t throw garbage into streets or waterways. It all ends up in rivers and canals, blocking water flow and making floods worse. We can only succeed if we all do our part.”
In addition to the river cleanup, NNIC has cleared and restored 67 manholes and replaced 17 manhole covers.
Seven new manholes have also been constructed to improve drainage access along major roads such as Domestic Road, NAIA Road, Airport Road, and Andrews Avenue.
The airport operator is also planning to install a modern drainage system, construct flood barriers, and build a stormwater pumping facility inside the NAIA complex. These upgrades are being coordinated with the Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Parañaque City government.
The project aims to enhance the airport's flood resilience ahead of the rainy season and prevent service disruptions that have historically affected airport operations and nearby neighborhoods.
