San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has started a river cleanup project along the Butuanon River in Mandaue City, Cebu, as part of its Better Rivers PH program. This initiative supports the government’s Oplan Kontra Baha to address flooding issues.
The project covers a 4-kilometer stretch of the river. Silt and waste buildup have narrowed and shallow the river, reducing its water flow towards the Mactan Channel. This waterway was one of those that overflowed during Typhoon Tino in November 2025, which caused severe flooding in the area.
Led by SMC chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang, the project is being carried out free of charge to the government. SMC, which operates major facilities in Mandaue, is working with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Mandaue City Government. The launch was held at the San Miguel Eco Park Eco Learning Center.
San Miguel Brewery Inc. will provide heavy equipment including excavators and barges to remove silt, soil deposits and waste. Since 2020, SMC has already removed around 9.2 million metric tons of debris from over 190 kilometers of river channels across Luzon. These include the Tullahan, Pasig, Pampanga and Meycauayan rivers, with regular maintenance also conducted to keep waterways functional.
Ang noted that effective river restoration requires removing hidden buildup to restore the river’s capacity to carry large volumes of water during heavy rainfall.
