November 12, 2025 | 4:35pm
MANILA, Philippines — After back-to-back typhoons hit the country within days, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered declogging operations in waterways and drainages across the country.
Marcos launched the “Oplan Kontra Baha” in a clearing operation in Balihatar Creek in Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque City. Simultaneous launches were held in Manila, San Juan and other cities in Metro Manila.
The president said that the operation is projected to reduce flash floods to more than half its current rate.
“Ang estimate ng ating mga siyentipiko ay sabi nila mababawasan ng up to 60% ang pagbaha kung ito ay maging maayos na,” Marcos said in a media interview.
(Our scientists estimate that flooding in the region could be reduced up to 60% once these are fixed.)
Marcos said that all of the spillways, estuaries and other waterways must be cleared to let the water flow properly.
The president also noted that there were cases where pumping stations were put in the wrong locations. This caused even more problems, he said. He said that cleanup was only one part of the plan.
Some of the long-term solutions that Marcos put forward are developing watersheds or impounding the water upstream.
The declogging operations will also take place in Cebu, Bacolod, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Pangasinan, Cotabato, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and other places that are often flooded, Marcos said.
With him were business tycoons Ramon Ang and Manuel V. Pangilinan. Marcos said that the two of them have pledged their support in the unclogging operations.
Hundreds of people have died as a result of the two back-to-back typhoons that struck the country. Cyclone Tino ravaged Visayas, killing more than 200 people, with at least 100 more still missing.
Meanwhile, Uwan has killed at least 14 people.