In a significant step toward nationwide disaster preparedness and enhanced community resilience, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. launched Oplan Kontra Baha: Metro Cebu Waterways Clearing and Cleaning Operations at Mahiga Creek, near the M. Logarta Bridge spanning Mandaue and Cebu Cities.
The initiative, successfully piloted in Greater Metro Manila, represents a unified national effort to combat severe flooding. It brings together national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and key private sector partners to systematically remove garbage, debris, and silt that have long clogged major rivers, creeks, and drainage systems across the metropolitan area.
“Oplan Kontra Baha is about restoring the natural flow of our vital waterways,” said the President during the launch. “This is a direct action to protect our communities, infrastructure, and livelihoods from the devastation caused by heavy rains and overflowing rivers. By working together—national, local, and private sectors—we are building a truly resilient Cebu.”
President Marcos Jr. personally observed the comprehensive operations underway at Mahiga Creek, a crucial part of the nearly 12-kilometer Subangdaku–Mahiga River system. Activities included dredging, waste removal, cleaning the waterways, and the dismantling of illegal structures blocking the natural water path. The President also oversaw additional dredging operations across the bridge, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to hands-on governance.
Mahiga Creek and the wider river system, which traverse Cebu City’s urban core, have historically been prone to overflow, largely due to significant silt buildup and accumulated refuse, particularly near structures like the Subangdaku Bridge.
Organized by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 7, the launching operations extended beyond Mahiga Creek. Clearing and cleaning efforts were conducted simultaneously in several other major Metro Cebu waterways, ensuring a broad and immediate impact on flood-prone areas.
These simultaneous operations targeted:
Butuanon River (Mandaue City)
Subangdaku River (Mandaue City)
Kinalumsan River and Mambaling Flyover (Cebu City)
Guadalupe River (Cebu City)
Mananga River (Talisay City)
Cotcot River (Municipality of Liloan)
Cansaga Bridge (Municipality of Consolacion)
The launch of Oplan Kontra Baha in Metro Cebu underscores the government’s sustained focus on proactive measures to mitigate disaster risks and secure a safer future for Filipino communities nationwide.
