President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. today led the launch of Oplan Kontra Baha: Greater Metro Manila Waterways Clearing and Cleaning Operations at Balihatar Creek in Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque City, marking a significant step in the Administration’s whole-of-government approach to disaster mitigation and resilient urban management.
This massive undertaking, led by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), local government units (LGUs), and key private sector partners, is designed to drastically reduce the increasing impact of flooding across the National Capital Region (NCR).
“For too long, our communities have suffered the predictable devastation of the typhoon season,” President Marcos stated during the launch. “Today, we move beyond short-term fixes and commit to a sustained, comprehensive approach. Oplan Kontra Baha is our covenant with every Filipino family living in low-lying areas: we are actively clearing the paths to safety and building a truly resilient nation, one clean waterway at a time.”
The program establishes a regular and intensified schedule for removing debris, garbage, and siltation from waterways and drainage systems. A critical component of the operation is also ensuring the proper functioning and efficiency of all metropolitan pumping stations.
The scope of the operation is unprecedented, covering 142.4 kilometers of rivers, creeks, and esteros, along with 333.15 kilometers of drainage systems throughout Metro Manila.
Highlighting the unified, “whole-of-nation” effort, simultaneous launch activities were carried out across the region, including in Caingin, Valenzuela City; Sunog Apog in Tondo, City of Manila; San Juan River in San Juan City; and Las Piñas City. This coordination emphasizes the commitment of national and local authorities, alongside private sector support, to maintaining clean, efficient, and functional waterways year-round.
This initiative is expected to protect thousands of Filipino families from severe flooding, safeguard homes, and reduce economic disruption, especially during the peak typhoon season.
Oplan Kontra Baha is a flagship initiative under the Marcos Administration aimed at ensuring water security, flood control, and resilient urban infrastructure management across key regions in the Philippines through multi-sectoral cooperation.
