River cleanup helps curb floods, but garbage remains a problem
Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. pointed to improperly disposed waste as a significant contributor to localized flooding, saying that while cleaning up rivers helps mitigate floods, it is not enough.
Manila, Philippines — San Miguel Corp., a diversified conglomerate, highlighted improperly disposed waste as a major factor in localized flooding despite river cleanups. While river cleanups help reduce flooding, they are not sufficient alone, according to SMC. The company's Better Rivers PH initiative, launched in 2020, has removed over 9.39 million metric tons of silt and waste from nearly 204 kilometers of waterways in Metro Manila, Bulacan, and Laguna.
The program has expanded to the Visayas, with cleanup efforts on the Butuanon River in Mandaue City, Cebu. However, SMC chairman and CEO Ramon Ang emphasized that cleaning rivers is just one part of a comprehensive solution for flooding. Ang noted that the entire system, including drains, pumping stations, flood-control infrastructure, and major rivers, must function effectively.
The recent heavy rains underscored the distinction between river flooding and localized drainage flooding, which can occur when intense rainfall overwhelms storm drains, canals, creeks, and pipes due to blockages or inadequate capacity. SMC attributes improperly disposed waste to a significant contributor to localized flooding, as it can clog smaller waterways that direct stormwater toward major rivers.
Written by urgent.news from Philippine Star Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
