SMC river cleanups ease NAIA flooding, remove 225,000 tons of waste

Insider Spotlight

• San Miguel Corp. and New NAIA Infra Corp. removed 225,000 tons of waste from Parañaque waterways
• Cleanup reduces flooding around airport amid rainy season
• San Miguel’s Better Rivers PH program has cleared 8.5M tons of waste since 2020

A joint river rehabilitation effort by San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) is showing early success in reducing flood risks around Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and nearby communities in Parañaque City, the conglomerate said on Thursday, July 17, 2025.

Driving the news:

In a statement, NNIC reported that about 225,000 metric tons of waste have been removed from 4.8 kilometers of river channels and clogged drainage systems near the airport as of July 12. The cleanup aims to restore the capacity of key waterways to drain excess rainwater effectively into Manila Bay.

Why it matters:

The initiative arrives as Metro Manila enters the typhoon season, when urban flooding often paralyzes major roads and infrastructure, including those leading to the country’s main gateway.

By the numbers:

• 126,000 tons of silt and debris were extracted from a 3.3-km segment of the Parañaque River
• 46,000 tons were cleared from Don Galo River
• 27,000 tons from Villanueva Creek
• 25,000 tons from San Dionisio Creek
• 17,800 tons from around 2 km of flood drains connected to Airport, Cut-Cut, Multinational, and Libjo Creeks

In addition, SMC and NNIC cleared drainage systems along Domestic Road and NAIA Road, key access routes to the airport.

What they’re saying:

“We’re very happy with the results so far. We have been receiving good feedback from members of the community, that despite the recent heavy rains, no major flooding had been observed in nearby areas of the airport. Same with the airport. Passengers did not experience any disruptions or delays caused by flooding,” said SMC chair and CEO Ramon Ang.

“NNIC, for its part, has been working diligently to improve passenger experience at NAIA. Helping ensure that roads leading to the airport are flood-free and safe, as part of its larger commitment to serve passengers better,” Ang added.

Zoom out:

The cleanup is part of SMC’s broader Better Rivers PH initiative, launched in 2020. The program has removed nearly 8.5 million tons of waste from 10 major waterways across Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The big picture:

Flood mitigation remains a critical infrastructure concern in Metro Manila. SMC’s efforts complement government-led programs by the DENR and DPWH, focusing on long-term environmental resilience and urban mobility.

What’s next:

SMC and NNIC plan to continue clearing rivers upstream and are calling for public cooperation to stop improper waste disposal and maintain progress made.