METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Nicolas Torre III said on Thursday that the agency is expediting the cleanup of esteros (estuaries) across Metro Manila before the rainy season.
“Upon the instruction of Chairman (Romando) Artes, the agency has set a target to rehabilitate 25 or more major esteros by 2026, with the goal of completing key projects before the rainy season, because well-maintained waterways are critical to flood prevention,” Torre said during a cleanup operation at the Kalabingkoho River in Valenzuela City.
Torre added that waterways prone to clogging during heavy rains are being prioritized.
An MMDA Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office crew removed trash, debris, and silt from a nearly two-kilometer stretch of the Kalabingkoho River in Malanday village.
Residents in the area have reported repeated flooding during heavy rains, with water often spilling into low-lying neighborhoods and streets along the city’s boundary with Meycauayan.
Torre said rehabilitation works also include repairing riverbanks, strengthening retaining walls, and installing permanent drainage solutions in critical areas.
Mayor Wes Gatchalian said the program is vital for the city’s flood management, particularly in border areas where water from upstream often flows toward MacArthur Highway, obstructing drainage.
“We are working together to continuously clean and maintain the creek. By deepening and widening it, we help ensure that it does not exceed its capacity during heavy rainfall,” he said.
The MMDA’s Bayanihan sa Estero program, launched under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is part of a broader initiative to rehabilitate and maintain waterways across Metro Manila. The program pairs government agencies with local government units to promote environmental stewardship while strengthening flood prevention and disaster preparedness measures.
