In direct response to the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), through its National Capital Region (NCR) office and various District Engineering Offices, has intensified its comprehensive flood mitigation initiative, “Oplan Kontra Baha.”
The program aims to safeguard communities and ensure the safety of the public by maintaining the integrity of the metropolis’s waterways. By focusing on critical maintenance and desilting activities, the DPWH seeks to facilitate the smooth flow of water along Metro Manila’s primary thoroughfares, particularly in anticipation of heavy rains.
The “Oplan Kontra Baha” strategy involves a multi-pronged approach to infrastructure maintenance, including:
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Cleaning of estuaries and vital waterways.
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Dredging and hauling of accumulated spoils.
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Manual and mechanical declogging of drainage inlets, laterals, and main lines.
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Desilting operations to restore the carrying capacity of water channels.
Data from the first week of March 2026 shows significant progress across the region:
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Drainage Systems: Over 30.65% of the targeted 4,151.52 cubic meters of drainage lines have successfully undergone declogging.
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Waterways: Desilting efforts have reached 13.02% completion, totaling more than 22,868.73 cubic meters of silt removed from various locations.
“The public can expect a consistent and focused effort from our teams every week,” the agency stated. “Our priority is to make NCR communities safer, more orderly, and more resilient against the threats of flooding.”
The DPWH remains committed to the continuous monitoring and maintenance of these systems to provide residents with a more secure and flood-free environment.
