The Department of Public Works and Highways – National Capital Region (DPWH-NCR), in close coordination with its District Engineering Offices, continues to ramp up its “Oplan Kontra Baha” program.
The initiative, a direct response to the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., focuses on proactive disaster prevention and public safety throughout the metropolis.
Data from the second week of 2026 reveals that the DPWH has not only met but exceeded its operational goals for urban drainage maintenance.
The agency achieved a 105.98% accomplishment rate for drainage declogging, clearing 4,882.31 million units/meters, significantly surpassing the initial target of 4,666.81 million.
Additionally, the desilting of waterways is well underway, with 36,821.21 million units/meters (20.97% of the total target) already completed across various strategic locations in the NCR.
To ensure the smooth flow of water along Metro Manila’s primary arteries and prevent flash flooding during the rainy season, the DPWH-NCR is employing a multi-pronged approach:
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Esteros & Waterways: Massive dredging and hauling of spoils to restore the natural carrying capacity of local streams.
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Drainage Systems: Simultaneous declogging of drainage inlets, laterals, and main lines.
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Manual Operations: Targeted manual declogging in areas inaccessible to heavy machinery to ensure no bottleneck is left unaddressed.
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Desilting: Systematic removal of accumulated sediment to prevent overflow in low-lying communities.
The DPWH remains steadfast in its commitment to transforming the National Capital Region into a flood-resilient zone. By maintaining this weekly momentum, “Oplan Kontra Baha” aims to provide residents with safer roads and more orderly communities.
“With each passing week, our focus remains clear: to take decisive action before the heavy rains arrive. We are prioritizing the safety of every commuter and resident by ensuring our infrastructure functions at peak capacity,” the DPWH-NCR stated.
The public can expect continued visibility of DPWH maintenance crews as these essential activities persist throughout the region.
