President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. launched Oplan Kontra Baha in Balihatar Creek, Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque in response to the severe flooding problem in Metro Manila. The program aims to clean rivers, estuaries, and canals of garbage and mud to speed up the flow of water.
Marcos said that one of the main causes of flooding is siltation or the accumulation of mud and garbage in waterways. Because of this, the government plans to regularly conduct cleanup and desilting operations.
The project covers more than 142 kilometers of rivers, streams, and estuaries and 333 kilometers of drainage system throughout Metro Manila. The implementation involves DPWH, MMDA, mayors in NCR, and the private sector. It will also be implemented in flood-prone areas such as Cebu, Bacolod, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro.
According to Marcos, he noticed that many pumping stations in Metro Manila were not functioning and were instead blocking the flow of water. That is why this is one of the first to be repaired under the project.
The President hopes that with the continued implementation of Oplan Kontra Baha until July 2026, flooding will be significantly reduced next year and communities will be safer.
