San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has achieved another milestone in its ongoing efforts to reduce flooding across Luzon, successfully completing the cleanup of the Pampanga River by removing nearly 700,000 tons of silt and waste.
From mid-August to December, SMC extracted 694,372 cubic meters of silt and solid waste from 26.3 kilometers of the Pampanga River as part of its “Better Rivers Ph” initiative, a long-standing project aimed at improving water systems across the country.
Led by SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang, the cleanup was carried out at no cost to the government or taxpayers. The project not only cleared debris but also deepened the river channels, allowing water to flow more efficiently toward Manila Bay.
“Flooding is a significant challenge for our cities and provinces, driven by numerous factors. We are committed to doing our part by cleaning our rivers and supporting the government and local communities,” said Ang.
He further explained the importance of the Pampanga River, noting its role in the wider Central Luzon area: “The Pampanga River is a major waterway, with waters that flow downstream to other provinces, including Bulacan.”
Due to the river’s shallow channels caused by siltation and pollution, heavy rains often caused the water to overflow, flooding farmlands and communities, even impacting neighboring regions. “Cleaning up the river became essential to alleviate flooding in these areas,” Ang added.
For residents of Macabebe, a riverside town in Pampanga, the cleanup is seen as a lifeline. Vice Mayor Vince Flores emphasized the significant impact the dredging has had on flood mitigation. “Floodwaters from Nueva Ecija and San Fernando used to take days, even weeks, to recede. Now, with the deeper channels, the floodwaters subside much more quickly.”
Flores also highlighted the additional benefits of the cleanup, noting that extracted silt is being used to strengthen local infrastructure, such as dikes and roads. Some of the material is even being used to elevate schools in the area.
This cleanup is just one of several river projects completed by SMC. Last year, the company successfully cleared over 4.31 million metric tons of silt and waste from Bulacan’s river systems, which span 74.5 kilometers, including major waterways like the Taliptip-Maycapiz-Bambang, Meycauayan, Marilao, and others.
Since launching in 2020, SMC’s “Better Rivers PH” initiative has covered a total of 156.42 kilometers of rivers, removing more than 8.3 million metric tons of silt and waste as of January 2, 2025. This includes efforts along the Tullahan River (1.12 million metric tons), Pasig River (1.18 million metric tons), San Juan River (322,739 metric tons), and San Pedro River (417,044 metric tons), in addition to ongoing efforts in Metro Manila and southern Luzon.
Ang emphasized that these river cleanup initiatives align with SMC’s core value of “malasakit” (compassion), focusing on the protection and well-being of coastal communities by reducing safety risks and boosting local economies.
“The cleanup also improves the safety of water ferry operations, enhances water quality, and reduces unpleasant odors, all while helping restore marine ecosystems,” Ang said. “We’re proud to continue providing this service to the Filipino people.”
