Environmental Impact Drives Long-Term Flood Solutions at NAIA
San Miguel Corporation (SMC) on Wednesday announced the removal of 93,000 tons of silt and waste from the Parañaque River system as part of an environmental cleanup effort aimed at improving water flow and addressing persistent flooding around Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The project, which spans 1.9 kilometers across the Parañaque and Don Galo rivers and their tributaries, is part of SMC’s broader “Better Rivers PH” initiative, launched in 2020 to restore critical waterways across Luzon. In addition to desilting, SMC has cleared storm drains along key roads near NAIA, reopening 54 manholes and installing 10 new ones to further ease drainage issues.
These efforts, done at no cost to taxpayers, have also garnered the support of government agencies like the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), all working to ensure sustainable flood prevention measures for both the airport and nearby urban areas.
Ramon S. Ang, SMC chairman and CEO, said that addressing flooding, particularly during typhoon season, has been a long-standing challenge. “Through Better Rivers PH, we’re making meaningful progress toward a cleaner, safer environment for residents, businesses, and travelers,” he said.
Since its inception, SMC’s Better Rivers PH has removed over 8 million tons of waste from more than 156 kilometers of rivers across Luzon, including major waterways like the Pasig, Tullahan, and San Juan rivers. The company continues similar cleanups in Laguna and Navotas City, expanding the project’s impact on flood mitigation and waterway restoration.
