Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Wednesday that floodwaters in Metro Manila are now receding faster, thanks to the government's ongoing flood-control and water-management initiatives, even as the region faces increasingly intense rainfall due to the southwest monsoon, or "habagat."
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos shared these observations during a situation briefing at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Command Center in Pasig City. He noted that floodwaters that once took two to three days to subside are now disappearing in less than a day. He highlighted that the flood levels were significantly lower compared to previous major flooding events, where waters reached the second or third floors of buildings.
Marcos pointed out that the improvements are particularly noteworthy given the volume of rain that recently hit Metro Manila, with 201 mm of rainfall recorded within five hours, equating to approximately 44 percent of the total rainfall from Tropical Storm Ondoy in 2009. The president credited ongoing dredging of waterways, enhancements to drainage systems, and the operation of 73 pumping stations and 11 mobile units as key factors in mitigating floods and accelerating the recession of floodwaters.
These efforts are part of the government's Oplan Kontra Baha, a multisectoral initiative launched in November 2025 aimed at clearing waterways and drainage systems across Metro Manila. The campaign covers extensive areas, including 142.4 km of rivers, creeks, and esteros, as well as 333.15 km of drainage systems.
Despite these advancements, Marcos acknowledged the severe and widespread impact of the southwest monsoon, which has affected about 4,700 barangays and impacted approximately 1.7 million families, resulting in 27 deaths and 17 injuries. He emphasized the government's commitment to continue dredging efforts while exploring additional water-management solutions for the short, medium, and long term.
Among these longer-term measures are the development of underground water-impounding facilities, with technical support from the Netherlands. Potential sites for these facilities have been identified beneath existing structures, including the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Camp Aguinaldo, and the University of Santo Tomas. The government is currently awaiting detailed engineering studies for these proposed projects.
Marcos concluded by acknowledging the progress made in the past six to seven months and reiterated the importance of continuing these efforts to further alleviate flooding issues in Metro Manila.
