How much waste did San Miguel Corporation remove from Pampanga and Bulacan rivers?

(Photo courtesy of San Miguel Corporation)

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has removed over 5 million tons of silt and solid waste from the rivers of Pampanga and Bulacan under its "Better Rivers Ph" cleanup initiative, a long-term effort to mitigate flooding, restore waterways, and boost local economies in Luzon.

Led by SMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ramon Ang, the initiative includes the recent removal of more than 700,000 tons of debris from the Pampanga River, complementing the earlier cleanup of the Bulacan River system, which cleared 4.31 million tons of silt and waste.

The project aims to deepen river channels, improve water flow, and prevent flooding in downstream areas, particularly Bulacan.

Along with SMC's goal of reducing flooding in Luzon, the aforementioned long-running initiative aims to deepen the river's channel, boost the local economy, and improve waterways as water flows from Pampanga to nearby cities and provinces, particularly Bulacan, which is downstream.

“Since the river was already quite shallow due to siltation and pollution, during heavy rain, water would easily overflow in many areas, affecting farmlands and communities and even contributing to flooding in other areas. So, it was imperative for us to come here and help clean up the river,” Ang stated in an interview as he stressed SMC’s drive to clean the Pampanga River.

The Pampanga River cleanup is the latest addition to the growing list of successful river cleanup projects undertaken by the business conglomerate.