PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday led the launch of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)s Bayanihan sa Estero Program with a goal to double up efforts to clean up and maintain drainage systems in Metro Manila.

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

As part of the ongoing anti-flood drive, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's 'Bayanihan sa Estero' launch at the Ilugin River in Pasig City on Aug. 2, 2025. The waterway is one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTOS

Marcos, together with MMDA Chairman Romando Artes and Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto, kicked off the program at the Ilugin River (Buli Creek) in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City.

During the event, the President also observed the actual conduct of the cleanup drive in Buli Creek, where water hyacinths were removed from the pond by a crane on a barge and then loaded onto dump trucks.

CLOGGED WATERWAY President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center) watches the dredging of Ilugin River in Pasig City during the launch of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authoritys (MMDA) Bayanihan sa Estero, a flood control program that involves cleaning up waterways in the metropolis. Ilugin was identified as one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. Marcos was accompanied by MMDA Chairman Romando Artes, Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto (not in photo), and other local officials. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

CLOGGED WATERWAY President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center) watches the dredging of Ilugin River in Pasig City during the launch of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authoritys (MMDA) Bayanihan sa Estero, a flood control program that involves cleaning up waterways in the metropolis. Ilugin was identified as one of 23 priority esteros. In his speech, the President encouraged the MMDA, other national government agencies, local government units, and volunteer groups to work together to ensure the success of the program. Marcos was accompanied by MMDA Chairman Romando Artes, Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto (not in photo), and other local officials. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

He was also shown the mobile recovery facility where the by-products of the water hyacinths, such as lily pots and charcoal briquettes, were displayed, along with the recyclable wastes collected from the river, including hollow blocks, plastic bricks and more.

In his speech, the President said the launch of the program was a crucial step in the countrys long-term flood control and climate change adaptation efforts.

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He said that even the best flood control infrastructure would be useless if Metro Manilas clogged waterways remained neglected and filled with trash and silt.

Even if all our flood control projects are excellent, if our esteros stay like this, it wont matter, Marcos said. Well still get flooded because water has nowhere to go.

Marcos said that before Tropical Depression Crising entered the country, at least 12 of the target esteros had already been cleared.

We can see that when the esteros are clean, floodwaters also recede quickly, he said, as he called on other organizations to adopt creek sections and help ensure their year-round upkeep.

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Everyone needs to work together local government, national government, MMDA, and all volunteer groups in civil society, he added.

Marcos said that beyond estero cleaning, desiltation and watershed rehabilitation were essential.

He said that eroded soil from deforested areas upstream ends up clogging waterways and worsening flooding in low-lying communities.

We will plant trees as part of watershed development so that soil isnt washed into our creeks, Marcos said.

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He added that climate-related disasters could no longer be treated as isolated events.

We really need to adjust to climate change, the President said.

The Bayanihan sa Estero Program aims to intensify efforts in unclogging Metro Manilas drainage laterals, dredging waterways, removing silt from drainage mains and eliminating accumulated solid waste.

It plans to complete cleanup activities on 23 identified esteros that have been prioritized for immediate intervention due to significant siltation, heavy solid waste buildup, poor flow conditions and vulnerability to recurrent flooding.

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These areas were also selected based on their impact on nearby communities and their proximity to flood-prone zones.

From the 23 priority esteros, extensive cleanup for 12 esteros has been completed, with a total of 881 cubic meters of garbage removed, according to the MMDA.

Thirteen others are scheduled for cleanup with ongoing coordination with local government units.

Our initiatives play a vital role in flood mitigation. We need to intensify these efforts of declogging our drainage laterals, dredging of open waterways, desilting of drainage mains, and removal of accumulated solid waste with the help of our stakeholders, Artes said.

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The Bayanihan sa Estero Program symbolizes collective action, especially during the rainy season and storms. It is a reminder of the bayanihan spirit from esteros to barangays, from government to houses that if we are united, real change is attainable, he added.

Under the program, the MMDA serves as the lead coordinator and implementer of metro-wide estero cleanup, while the concerned city or barangay serves as the partner implementer for coordination and mobilization of manpower and resources.

Six national government agencies have partnered with the MMDA to carry out a coordinated, region-wide cleanup of esteros and waterways.

The MMDA said the program would be jointly implemented with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and various Metro Manila local governments.

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Each agency plays a distinct role in supporting the estero cleanup efforts, which aim to ease flooding in highly vulnerable communities during the rainy season.

The DENR is deploying estero rangers for daily trash collection and environmental monitoring.

The DOLE is providing manpower through its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) program.

The DPWH contributes dredging support and engineering assistance, while the DepEd leads information campaigns in schools.

The DILG mobilizes barangay volunteers, and local governments coordinate access and logistics on the ground.

Private partners, including the Lucio Tan Group and APO Fraternity, are also supplying cleanup tools and other resources.

To sustain the program, the MMDA has deployed its own desilting and dredging equipment, allowing the agency to conduct operations in-house without hiring external contractors.

In a related development, Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez called on Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan to take a leave of absence after the Department of Public Works and Highways was called out for the failure of its flood control projects across the country.

Out of delicadeza, and to help preserve the integrity of any inquiry, I respectfully urge the DPWH secretary to take a leave of absence while the investigation is ongoing, Benitez said in a statement on his Facebook page.

He added that this act of good faith would go a long way toward restoring public trust and ensuring that the process is impartial and credible.

Benitezs comments come after President Marcos ordered the DPWH to submit a list of flood control projects that were constructed since the start of his administration in 2022, and to subject all flood control structures to audit and performance reviews.

The chief executive also criticized the failure of the countrys flood control projects during his State of The Nation Address, lambasting officials and contractors who have profited off flood control projects that failed to mitigate floodwaters during the onslaught of monsoons.

Benitez questioned the propriety of Bonoan staying put in the agency while it is being investigated.

When there are questions about a companys finances, you dont ask the accountant to audit himself. You bring in someone independent to find the truth, Benitez said.

On Thursday, Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, the newly appointed chairman of the House Public Accounts panel, said he aims to begin the investigations into these flood control projects in the coming weeks.

We will let the DPWH explain the state of all infrastructure, including flood control projects, this year. Were there some delays? Were there ghost projects? Did some of them finish? and what will we do for the entire year? Ridon said.