San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has expanded its Better Rivers PH cleanup initiative to Alabang River in Muntinlupa City, partnering with the local government at no cost to the government.
The move follows severe flooding on July 8 that stranded motorists along South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). Investigations revealed that Alabang River was heavily silted and narrowed due to informal structures and recent construction, preventing proper water flow.
Since operations began two months ago, SMC has removed over 26,000 tons of silt and waste from a 450-meter stretch of the river, from its mouth at Laguna de Bay to near Cupang Bridge.
The company is working closely with the Muntinlupa City Engineering Office, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and nearby communities to restore the river’s natural depth and width. Obstructive sheet piles installed by a private contractor have been dismantled, and future plans include a coordinated relocation of informal settlers along the riverbanks.
SMC chairman Ramon S. Ang emphasized the importance of long-term flood mitigation, while Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon praised the partnership as a vital part of the city’s flood control strategy.
Since 2020, Better Rivers PH has cleared 8.6 million tons of silt and waste from 165 kilometers of waterways across Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Ongoing efforts include cleanups in Parañaque, Navotas, Laguna, and Las Piñas, as well as renewed work in the Tullahan River.
