MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that ongoing and intensified cleanup, dredging, and widening of rivers, canals, esteros, and other waterways across Metro Manila and other flood-prone areas is expected to significantly reduce floodwaters in the capital.

The president ordered national and local government agencies, as well as the private sector, to work together to address severe flooding. Marcos expressed confidence that once the majority of these efforts are completed, flood levels in Metro Manila could be reduced by as much as 60 percent.

“I am very optimistic that once we get majority of this done, mararamdaman na kaagad natin na pagdating ng tag-ulan next year ay malaki na ‘yung mababawas sa flooding,” the president said during the launch of Oplan Kontra Baha in Parañaque City.

He stressed the importance of collaboration among local governments and private stakeholders, noting that no single entity—national government, LGU, or private sector—can solve the flooding problem alone.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will deploy heavy equipment to assist in the clearing operations, which will also be implemented in Cebu, Bacolod, Roxas City, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Pangasinan, Cotabato, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and other flood-prone areas nationwide.

The initiative forms part of the government’s broader efforts to mitigate flooding and protect communities from the adverse impacts of extreme weather events.