MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to ensure that rivers, creeks, esteros, drainage systems, and other waterways remain clear and capable of carrying large volumes of water as continuous rains affect several parts of the country.
The President in his directive to the heads of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) before departing for Canada, stressed that maintaining the capacity of waterways is essential in flood-prone communities where heavy rainfall can quickly trigger flooding and threaten lives, homes, and livelihoods.
In response, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said the DPWH was continuing the nationwide implementation of its Oplan Kontra Baha (OKB) program to improve water flow and reduce flood risks.
Under the program, DPWH teams are conducting dredging, desilting, widening, and clearing operations in rivers, esteros, drainage systems, and other waterways to prevent blockages and speed up the movement of rainwater.
The anti-flood operations are underway in Metro Manila and several regions across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. These include the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Tarlac, Naga City, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, and Maguindanao.
Complementing these efforts, the DOLE and the MMDA signed a memorandum of agreement on July 1, 2026 to expand cleanup operations and generate emergency jobs through the Bayanihan sa Estero program under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) initiative.
Backed by a P220-million budget, the program is expected to provide temporary employment to 10,000 disadvantaged workers who will help declog drainage systems, clean waterways, and promote proper waste management practices in communities.
Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said the initiative supported the President’s directive to strengthen preparations for the rainy season while protecting communities from flooding and related health risks.
Tolentino noted that clogged waterways contributed not only to flooding but also to the spread of diseases such as dengue, leptospirosis, and other waterborne illnesses, making cleanup efforts critical to public health.
The first batch of 500 TUPAD beneficiaries will be deployed immediately, while DOLE’s National Capital Region office and local government units are profiling an additional 3,600 workers for deployment as the campaign expands.