After five years of sustained cleanup operations under the Better Rivers PH program, San Miguel Corp. (SMC) reported the removal of 8.5 million metric tons of silt and solid waste from multiple key river systems across Luzon—marking a milestone in large-scale environmental rehabilitation efforts and signaling critical policy implications for future waterway governance.
Launched in 2020, the private sector-led initiative targets the restoration, desilting, and rehabilitation of heavily polluted rivers, many of which traverse densely populated and flood-prone areas. As of June 2025, over 161 kilometers of river channels have been cleared, improving water flow and significantly reducing flooding risks in surrounding communities.
The cleanup spans major rivers including the Pasig, San Juan, and Tullahan, as well as waterways in Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna, Navotas, and Parañaque. Recent completions include the Tunasan River in Laguna, from which nearly 54,000 tons of waste were removed, and earlier efforts in Biñan River (87,899 tons) and San Isidro River (417,044 tons) in San Pedro.
According to SMC chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang, the intervention has led to environmental co-benefits such as reduced foul odors and even the return of aquatic life in select areas. “Flooding continues to be a major risk for many cities and provinces, and we cannot afford inaction,” Ang said. “Our work is far from over, but the results show what consistent, long-term investment can achieve.”
Critically, the Better Rivers PH program is fully funded by SMC and implemented in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local government units, allowing for targeted year-round interventions without drawing from public resources.
Environmental analysts see the program as a potential model for integrated water resource management, particularly in urban settings. With river pollution and flood vulnerability closely linked, the initiative underscores the need for multi-stakeholder coordination, sustained funding, and behavioral change to discourage waste dumping.
Moreover, it bolsters the case for stronger enforcement of existing environmental laws, while highlighting gaps in public infrastructure and community-level waste management systems.
“This initiative demonstrates what’s possible when corporate social responsibility is matched with strategic coordination and long-term vision,” said a DENR official. “However, it also highlights that without robust public policy, these gains may not be sustained.”
As SMC looks to expand its cleanup efforts to more rivers in Laguna, the long-term success of Better Rivers PH may hinge on complementary policy reforms, community education, and the institutionalization of private-public environmental partnerships.
