Apayao: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), San Miguel Corp. (SMC), and the Apayao provincial government have initiated a collaborative flood-control project aimed at dredging and clearing waterways throughout the province.

According to Philippines News Agency, the 'Oplan Kontra Baha' project is set to span from September 2026 to September 2027. It will address approximately 12 rivers and creeks, covering a total of 57.52 kilometers. DPWH Undersecretary Charles Calima Jr., who leads the agency's Oplan Kontra Baha Task Force, emphasized the project's goal of mitigating persistent flooding during heavy rainfall and typhoons. The strategies will include ongoing dredging, clearing of waterways, and intensive desilting efforts.

The Abulug River, a significant waterway within the Apayao-Abulug River Basin, has been designated as a primary focus area for these operations. Calima noted that project sites were chosen after thorough assessments with local officials to identify areas frequently affected by flooding.

The Apayao-Abulug River Basin serves as a connection between Apayao in the Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan in Region 2. A report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources classifies it as one of the three major river basins in the Cordillera and one of nine major river basins in the Philippines.

Beyond dredging and desilting, the project will also involve waterway clearing and waste collection and hauling. The DPWH, Apayao government, and SMC will jointly implement the initiative, with SMC providing additional heavy equipment and personnel to support the dredging operations. SMC has a history of collaborating with the DPWH on similar flood-control projects in other regions.

Earlier this week, the DPWH and SMC commenced dredging operations on the Gugu River along the Bacolor-Sto. Tomas-Minalin Tail Dike in Minalin, Pampanga, as part of the agency's broader flood-control efforts.