SMC Restarts River Maintenance Efforts to Boost Flood Protection in Bulacan

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has resumed its river cleanups in Bulacan, following the completion of its extensive 2022–2024 project that cleared over 4.15 million metric tons of silt and waste from 74 kilometers of waterways — all at no cost to government.

The company is now focused on maintaining major rivers that empty into Manila Bay and surround the future New Manila International Airport (NMIA). According to SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang, cleanup teams have removed more than 500,000 tons of silt and waste from a nine-kilometer section of the Maycapiz-Taliptip and Bambang Rivers over the past 10 months. These rivers, once only knee-deep, now reach depths of over three meters.

SMC has also expanded its work to the Bagumbayan River in Bulakan town, extracting more than 91,000 tons of debris from a 3.3-kilometer stretch.

Ang emphasized that regular maintenance is essential to preserve the improved flood-carrying capacity of these waterways, which play a crucial role in draining water from eastern Bulacan toward Manila Bay. Before the cleanup program, years of accumulated silt had clogged rivers in low-lying coastal areas, worsening floods in nearby communities and even submerging the future airport site, which had long been used as fishponds.

In 2024 alone, SMC removed over 1.5 million tons of silt from three major rivers, while also clearing upstream tributaries to ensure smooth water flow. These efforts have helped reduce flooding in Guiguinto, Marilao, Balagtas, Bocaue, and Meycauayan. However, successive typhoons and heavy rains have since caused siltation to return, prompting SMC to reactivate cleanup operations.

Ang stressed that maintaining clean and navigable rivers is part of the long-term operational plan for NMIA — a commitment that will continue to benefit eastern Bulacan’s municipalities.

On the western side of the province, areas such as Malolos and Hagonoy remain flood-prone due to overflow from Angat Dam. Although SMC previously cleared portions of the Malolos, Angat-Labangan, and Pampanga Rivers, these communities remain vulnerable during dam releases.

SMC reiterated that Bulacan’s flooding problem stems from multiple factors, including rising sea levels, land subsidence, insufficient drainage, and rapid upstream development. The company said long-lasting solutions will require collaboration among government agencies, local leaders, private partners, and residents.

The cleanup has extended to Bagumbayan River within Bulakan town proper

Maycapiz-Taliptip River Maintenance cleanup under SMC’s long-running

Better Rivers PH river rehabilitation initiative.

Bathymetric survey shows the Maycapiz-Taliptip River prior to SMC’s cleanup efforts in September 2022 (top) and its current state (bottom), highlighting improved carrying capacity and flow. From shallow depths of mostly .5 to 1.5 meters, the river is now 3-4 meters deep, allowing for improved flood mitigation and more efficient drainage out to Manila Bay.