President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday launched a massive multi-agency cleanup and dredging campaign aimed at clearing Metro Manila’s waterways and drainage systems — a move expected to reduce flooding in the capital region by up to 60 percent next year.

The President led the official launch of Oplan Kontra Baha: Greater Metro Manila Waterways Clearing and Cleaning Operations at Balihatar Creek in Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque City. 

Simultaneous activities were held in Meycauayan City (Bulacan), Tondo (Manila), Quezon City, and Las Piñas City, where other major rivers and creeks are also being cleared.

“I am very optimistic that once we get the majority of this done, mararamdaman na kaagad natin na pagdating ng tag-ulan next year, malaki na ang mababawasan sa flooding (we will immediately feel that by the time the rainy season comes next year, flooding will already be greatly reduced),” Marcos said during his inspection of the dredging operations.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will spearhead the project, which runs from November 2025 to July 2026. 

It will cover 142.4 kilometers of rivers, creeks, and esteros, and 333.15 kilometers of drainage systems across the metropolis.

Oplan Kontra Baha brings together national government agencies, local government units, and private sector partners to restore the full water-carrying capacity of clogged and silted waterways that have contributed to recurrent flash floods.

Marcos noted that improper waste disposal, siltation, and poorly placed infrastructure have worsened flooding in recent years.

“We will continue this first phase of Oplan until July next year — about nine months. Even after that, regular cleaning, desiltation, and garbage clearing will continue. Hindi natin puwedeng tigilan dahil umiipon pa rin,” he said.

The President also pointed out the need to correct the placement of several pumping stations, some of which have inadvertently obstructed water flow.

He lamented that many of the pumping stations have not worked since they were built because their very location blocks the water instead of draining it. 

Marcos stressed that once the initial phase in Metro Manila is completed, Oplan Kontra Baha will be expanded to other flood-prone areas, including Cebu, Bacolod, Roxas City, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Pangasinan, Cotabato, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro.

“It’s the beginning of a very wide-ranging program to at least partially solve the problem of flooding, especially in the urban areas, especially in Metro Manila and the other highly urbanized cities and provinces,” he said.