NNIC-SMC River Cleanup Eases Manila Airport Flood Woes

New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) and San Miguel Corp. (SMC) Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang.

NNIC-SMC River Cleanup Eases Manila Airport Flood Woes

By Bing Jabadan – Thenationweek.com  

July 18, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – A partnership between New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the private operator of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), and San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is yielding tangible results in the battle against flooding in Parañaque City, particularly around the airport.

The partnership, which is part of SMC’s Better Rivers PH initiative, aims to address inundation in the city.

The collaborative effort has already extracted about 225,000 metric tons of waste from 4.8 kilometers of river channels and previously blocked waterways.

The cleanup has significantly enhanced the waterways’ carrying capacity and facilitated a smoother outflow of water to Manila Bay.

Years of accumulated refuse and restricted drainage had rendered sections of the rivers shallow and prone to overflowing.

“We’re very pleased with the progress,” said SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang.

“Community feedback indicates that despite recent heavy rains, major flooding has been averted in areas surrounding the airport. Passengers have experienced no disruptions or delays due to inundation.”

The bulk of the waste removed – roughly 126,000 tons of silt and debris – originated from a 3.3-kilometer stretch of the Parañaque River.

Substantial volumes were also cleared from the Don Galo River (46,000 tons), Villanueva Creek (27,000 tons), and San Dionisio Creek (25,000 tons).

The initiative has also targeted natural flood drains leading to Airport Creek, Cut-Cut Creek, Multinational Creek, and Libjo Creek, removing a combined 17,800 tons of garbage and silt from approximately two kilometers of these waterways.

SMC and NNIC have also declogged drainage systems along Domestic Road and NAIA Road to further fortify flood prevention measures around the airport complex.

NNIC’s involvement in the river cleanup highlights its commitment to improving the passenger experience at NAIA by ensuring safer, flood-free access roads.

The cleanup also extends beyond the airport’s vicinity to mitigate flooding in other parts of Parañaque through continued upstream cleanup efforts.

Local leaders praised the initiative.  

Councilman Jomar Trixie Valencia of Barangay Sto. Niño, Parañaque, recounted the past situation in the area, where floods would rapidly rise and slowly recede due to garbage-choked riverbeds.  

Barangay Captain Johnny Co stressed the importance of responsible waste disposal to prevent future river pollution.

SMC’s Better Rivers PH program, launched in 2020, has been a driving force behind the success of many river cleanup campaigns.

The program has already removed nearly 8.5 million tons of waste and silt from 10 major river systems in and around Metro Manila – at no cost to the government.

This covers 161 kilometers of waterways, including the Tullahan, Pasig, and San Juan Rivers, the Bulacan and Pampanga river systems, and rivers in Parañaque and Laguna.

Implemented in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and local government units, Better Rivers PH is a core component of SMC’s broader sustainability agenda, focused on reducing river pollution, mitigating flooding, and minimizing flood risks to the public.

The program demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being.

“As we continue our river cleanup around NAIA and other parts of Luzon, we urge the public to contribute by keeping garbage out of our waterways,” Ang emphasized.

“Maintaining flood-free communities requires a shared effort,” he said.