San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has partnered with the provincial government of Laguna to expand its river cleanup and restoration program aimed at reducing flooding across the province.
The agreement, signed by SMC chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang and governor Marisol “Sol” Aragones, brings SMC’s Better Rivers PH initiative into Laguna’s official flood-control plan.
Under the deal, SMC will clean and restore major rivers and tributaries in Biñan, Cabuyao, San Pedro, and Sta. Rosa to their original depth and width to improve water flow into Laguna de Bay. The company will cover all expenses for dredging, fuel, logistics, and labor.
Since August 2023, SMC has already cleared nearly 577,000 metric tons of silt and waste from about 10 kilometers of rivers in Laguna, including Biñan, San Isidro, Landayan, and Tunasan — all at no cost to the government.
The expanded project will also widen and re-channel certain river sections, while SMC and the province will engage local communities and set up a monitoring system to track progress. The provincial government will identify priority areas, coordinate with national agencies, and ensure proper waste handling and disposal under environmental laws.
Ang said the cleanup will not only improve water quality but also increase rivers’ capacity to carry rainwater toward Laguna de Bay. He added that long-term flood control for coastal towns will still depend on the national government’s planned spillway linking Laguna Lake to Manila Bay.
The Laguna partnership adds to SMC’s growing list of local government tie-ups under Better Rivers PH, following projects in Quezon City and Las Piñas. Since its launch in 2020, the program has removed over 8.6 million metric tons of silt and waste from 166 kilometers of waterways — making it the largest private-led river rehabilitation effort in the Philippines.
