Insider Spotlight
San Miguel Corp. and Quezon City ink flood-control MOA
River deepening, widening projects to reduce flooding
Expansion builds on SMC’s Better Rivers PH initiative
Why it matters:
Flooding remains one of the capital’s most persistent problems. By deepening and widening sections of the San Juan River and extending its cleanup of the Tullahan River up to La Mesa Dam, SMC aims to ease the burden on flood-prone communities.
The details:
The partnership will cover dredging, silt and waste removal, and the deployment of heavy equipment to restore natural water flow.
The city government identified additional tributaries for cleanup to increase drainage capacity and improve outflow to Manila Bay.
The project builds on SMC’s 2020–2022 pilot cleanup, which cleared 1.1 million metric tons of silt and waste from 10.9 kilometers of the Tullahan River.
What they’re saying:
“For five years now, we have been cleaning rivers because we want to help solve the flooding problem,” said SMC chair and CEO Ramon S. Ang. “We don’t profit from this work, and none of the dredged material is ever used for our projects. This is about doing our part for our communities”.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte lauded the deal: “This partnership will strengthen Quezon City’s flood control efforts and complement its broader waste management and environmental initiatives."
“Lahat ng bagay ay gumagaan kapag pinagtutulungan (Everything becomes easier when done together). Together, we are multiplying our impact and we can set a new standard for public-private collaboration that builds the foundation for a more resilient city and a life of dignity for every QCitizen and every Filipino,” Belmonte said.
The big picture:
Since its launch in 2020, SMC’s Better Rivers PH program has removed over 8.5 million metric tons of silt and waste from 163 kilometers of waterways across Metro Manila — all at no cost to government or taxpayers.
What’s next:
Beyond river cleanup, SMC has also offered to help Quezon City explore advanced waste management technologies for long-term flood prevention and environmental protection. —Ed: Vanessa Hidalgo
