San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Quezon City government to clean and rehabilitate major rivers in the city, expanding the company’s Better Rivers PH initiative aimed at reducing flooding in Metro Manila.
Under the agreement, SMC will deepen and widen key sections of the San Juan River and extend its cleanup of the Tullahan River up to La Mesa Dam, building on its 2020–2022 pilot effort that cleared 1.1 million metric tons of silt and solid waste from 10.9 kilometers of the waterway.
The company will also clean up other tributaries identified by the city government to remove silt and garbage, increase rainwater carrying capacity, and improve outflow to Manila Bay, helping reduce flooding in low-lying areas.
The partnership includes the deployment of dredging equipment, barges, and trucks, as well as the development of improved systems for collecting debris and other obstructions to restore the natural flow of water.
These projects will form part of SMC’s Better Rivers PH program, launched in 2020, which has so far removed more than 8.5 million metric tons of silt and waste from 163 kilometers of rivers and tributaries in and around Metro Manila — all at no cost to government or taxpayers.
“For five years now, we have been cleaning rivers because we want to help solve the flooding problem,” SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang said. “We don’t profit from this work, and none of the dredged material is ever used for our projects. This is about doing our part for our communities.”
Mayor Joy Belmonte welcomed the partnership, saying it will strengthen Quezon City’s flood control efforts and complement its broader waste management and environmental initiatives.
“Lahat ng bagay ay gumagaan kapag pinagtutulungan. Together, we are multiplying our impact and we can set a new standard for public-private collaboration that builds the foundation for a more resilient city and a life of dignity for every QCitizen and every Filipino,” Mayor Belmonte said.
As part of its commitment to long-term solutions, SMC has also offered to help Quezon City explore more advanced waste management technologies to support better flood prevention and environmental protection.
