By Brian Campued
As part of the administration’s whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach toward flood mitigation, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the launch of “Oplan Kontra Baha” along Balihatar Creek in Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque City.
The multi-sectoral partnership is aimed at addressing severe flooding in Metro Manila and adjacent areas through the declogging of drainage systems as well as cleaning of major waterways such as rivers and esteros.
Simultaneous cleanups were also conducted in Caingin Creek in Meycauayan City; Sunog Apog Pumping Station in Tondo, Manila; San Juan River; and Las Piñas River.
“This is a long-term solution. And it is something that has been proposed for a very long time but somehow has never been implemented, and we are doing that now,” Marcos said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) would lead the rollout of Oplan Kontra Baha from November 2025 to July 2026 along with regular cleaning operations and desiltation to prevent the overflowing of waterways during heavy rains that result in flooding.
“Kaya marami pa tayong kailangang gawin. Ngunit malaking bahagi na sa solusyon ito na paglinis ng basura at—desiltation para maging malalim ulit,” he said.
The Chief Executive noted that, according to experts, urban flooding could be reduced by up to 60% once the Oplan Kontra Baha, coupled with functional pumping stations, is successfully implemented.
He added that the initiative would also be replicated nationwide—with priority on flood-prone areas in Cebu, Bacolod City, Roxas City in Capiz, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Pangasinan, Cotabato, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro, among others.
“So, that is what this signifies now. It’s the beginning of a very wide-ranging program to at least partially solve the problem of flooding, especially in the urban areas, especially in Metro Manila and the other highly urbanized cities and provinces,” Marcos stressed.
Recognizing that Oplan Kontra Baha is not an “instant solution” to the perennial flooding problem in the country, Marcos underscored the need for the national government, local government, and private sector to continuously work together to bring lasting change.
“Malaking tulong ang pagsasama ng private sector, ng LGU, at saka ng national government… Hindi kaya ng kahit na national government lamang. Hindi kaya ng LGU lamang. Hindi kaya ng private sector, ng mga negosyante, hindi nila kaya na sila lang. Kailangan magtulungan,” the President emphasized.
“I am very optimistic that once we get the majority of this done, maramdaman na kaagad natin na pagdating ulit ng tag-ulan next year, malaki na ‘yung mababawasan sa flooding.” (with report from Kenneth Paciente / PTV)
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