Marcos launches Oplan Kontra Baha

MANILA, Philippines —  In an effort to address the massive flooding in Metro Manila, President Marcos launched “Oplan Kontra Baha” at Balihatar Creek in Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque yesterday.

The program aims to declog waterways and drains of debris and garbage as well as manage the operability of pumping stations to curb flooding in low-lying areas.

“We have studied it carefully, and a large part of flooding is siltation; our spillways are too shallow. Secondly, there is trash that is piling up, preventing the water from flowing,” Marcos said in a chance interview.

The program covers 142.4 kilometers of rivers, creeks and esteros and 333.15 kilometers of drainage systems throughout Metro Manila.

Oplan Kontra Baha will also be rolled out in Cebu, Bacolod, Roxas City, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Pangasinan, Cotabato, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and other flood-prone areas nationwide.

“This is already included in the DPWH maintenance and other operating expenses,” Marcos said, adding that Kontra Baha will continue until July 2026.

The Department of Public Works and Highways, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, mayors in the National Capital Region and private sector partners will lead the dredging and clearing of illegal structures and obstructions along waterways and drainages as well as the implementation of effective waste disposal and management.

“Cleanup will be done regularly, desilting, removal of garbage, we will continue to do all of this. We cannot stop because we know that it is still accumulating,” Marcos said.

The President added that he discovered many pumping stations in Metro Manila that have never operated.

“The pumping stations themselves blocked the water. Instead of providing a solution, the pumping stations that were installed became the problem,” he said.

Marcos expressed optimism that there will be a significant reduction in the flooding next year with the strict implementation of the Oplan Kontra Baha.

Similar launch activities were carried out simultaneously in Caingin, Valenzuela; Sunog Apog in Tondo, Manila; San Juan River in San Juan and Las Piñas City.