San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has relaunched its cleanup of the Tullahan River, three years after completing a P1-billion effort in 2022. Using LIDAR technology, the company identified new waste and silt buildup, which is hindering the river’s capacity to drain floodwaters into Manila Bay.
The 27-kilometer Tullahan River, flowing through Quezon City, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Malabon, and Navotas, was the first focus of SMC’s Better Rivers PH program. Since its launch in 2020, the initiative has removed over 8.6 million metric tons of waste and silt from 165 kilometers of waterways across the country.
SMC Chairman Ramon S. Ang emphasized the ongoing need for cleanup due to continued waste dumping and erosion. Local governments in Quezon City, Valenzuela, and Navotas have also requested SMC’s help to address obstructions and restore natural river widths.
Initial efforts are focused on the river’s mouth in Manila Bay and shallow sections in Valenzuela and Malabon, with plans to extend cleanup upstream to La Mesa Dam and the San Juan River.
This effort aligns with World Rivers Day, highlighting global awareness for the protection of natural waterways.
