The flood control project scandal involving government employees, contractors, Congressmen, and Senators has exposed the magnitude of corruption that’s impairing and robbing our country. The effects of such ghost and substandard projects have made the flooding worse in areas such as Metro Manila.
As such, the Philippine government, along with the private sector, has launched a nine-month flood control program across Metro Manila and nearby provinces. The goal of the said program is to clear the waterways, remove illegal structures, and scale up the dredging operations before the rainy season in 2026.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said that the nine-month flood control program in Metro Manila was conceptualized during a discussion between San Miguel Corporation (SMC) President Ramon S. Ang, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes, and several Metro Manila mayors.
Dizon and Artes both agree that the government, along with the private sector, should be committed to the project for it to bear fruit.
“The quick solution to floods is to clear the waterways, drainage systems, and pumping stations. Chairman Artes and I agreed that to see real impact, we need to scale this up all over Metro Manila—simultaneously and continuously for nine months,” Dizon said.
Simply put, Dizon wants all available hands on deck to make the nine-month flood control program in Metro Manila and nearby provinces a success. The plan involves the participation of different government agencies, which include the MMDA, DPWH, National Housing Authority (NHA), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), and major private partners such as San Miguel Corporation, Metro Pacific, and Razon’s Prime Infrastructure.
The DPWH shared that it has allocated P2.5 billion for the said program, excluding equipment and logistical support provided for free by SMC and other private companies. The agency also said that more than 500 heavy equipment units will be deployed for dredging, declogging, and demolition activities in various flood-prone areas.
Among the areas to be operated are major waterways such as the San Juan River in Quezon City, Sunog Apog in Tondo, Las Piñas River, Caingin in Bulacan, and San Dionisio Creek in Parañaque. In total, about 120 waterways have been identified for rehabilitation, 30 of which are considered critical.
DPWH Secretary Dizon added that the demolition of illegal structures is crucial for the success of the program. As such, he has ordered the NHA and DHSUD to relocate affected residents.
“Local governments alone cannot handle the relocation. That’s why national housing agencies are fully involved,” Dizon said.
Dizon also said that the program will be implemented in other key cities, including Cebu and Bacolod, should it be proven effective.
