10-year dredging program for Pasig

Asian conglomerate San Miguel Corp is targeting to dredge a total of 700 thousand tons of garbage from the Tullahan River and Pasig River every year, as clean-up operations in Tullahan continue to remove 600 tons of garbage daily since resuming operations with the lifting of restrictions in June. Along with the massive P1 billion Tullahan-Tinajeros dredging and clean-up project and planned Pasig River clean up, SMC is also looking to dredge major rivers and water tributaries in Bulacan that lead to Manila Bay. This will further help government’s flood mitigation initiatives, even as it prepares for the construction of the P734-billion Manila International Airport in Bulacan. SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang lauded government’s efforts to clean-up and rehabilitate Manila Bay, which entails removing silt, trash and other obstructions from tributaries that restrict the free flow of water and cause heavy flooding, particularly in northern Metro Manila and many parts of Central Luzon, including Bulacan. Silt and trash that ultimately end up in Manila Bay have affected the marine ecosystem and traditional fishing grounds. “Government has done a really good job cleaning up Manila Bay. Water quality has improved a lot. But we all need to pitch in and do our part to sustain these initial gains,” Ang said.