SMC gets green light to extend Tullahan River cleanup

SAN Miguel Corp. (SMC) is extending its P1-billion Tullahan-Tinajeros River cleanup to 11.5 kilometers, almost halfway of the 27-km water system.

SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang, in a statement on Wednesday, said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has approved the company’s dredging plans for Sectors 4 and 5 of the river system, covering the stretch from Tinajeros Bridge to Potrero in Malabon and Valenzuela cities.

SMC said the cleanup extension further complements ongoing flood mitigation measures in the cities of Navotas, Malabon, and Valenzuela, before the start of the rainy season.

“We are making all the necessary preparations now to move into the next phase of our river cleanup and flood management initiative. We’re investing in new equipment, and hiring more people,” said Mr. Ang.

SMC will be working with the local governments and the Metro Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) Flood Control group in implementing the project.

Mr. Ang also said the project has employed 11 heavy equipment operators who graduated under the SMC-Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) partnership skills training program.

The program beneficiaries are former residents of Barangay Taliptip in Bulacan, who were relocated from the future site of SMC’s P740-billion Manila International Airport project.