River dredging eases flooding in Maguindanao del Sur towns

An amphibious excavator removes silt and debris from a waterway in Paglat, Maguindanao del Sur, as part of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Oplan Kontra Baha program. The dredging aims to improve river flow and reduce flooding in flood-prone communities. (Photo courtesy of the Provincial Government of Maguindanao del Sur) KORONADAL CITY — Dredging operations conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways – Region 12 (DPWH-12) helped protect several towns in Maguindanao del Sur from destructive flooding during the recent onslaught of Super Typhoon Inday and the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat), officials said. The dredging, carried out under the agency’s Oplan Kontra Baha program in partnership with the Maguindanao del Sur provincial government and the Bangsamoro Ministry of Public Works, cleared sections of the Rio Grande de Mindanao and the Buluan River of silt, mud, water hyacinths, and other debris that had been obstructing water flow. Charles Calima, DPWH undersecretary for special concerns, said the success of Oplan Kontra Baha during the recent typhoon showed that dredging can effectively reduce flood risks. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Floods affect 62,000 families in Maguindanao del Sur He said the dredging operations improved the river’s capacity to carry rainwater, helping protect communities, farmlands and major roads. The improvement was significant compared with August 2025, when an overflowing river displaced at least 3,800 families in Buluan town, prompting local and national governments to strengthen flood mitigation efforts, data showed. Calima said the agency plans to expand the program to other waterways in Maguindanao del Sur while pursuing permanent flood control measures, including geotextile tube systems.As of July 10, DPWH-12 reported removing 534,702.8 cubic meters (m³) of silt and other materials, equivalent to 66.28 percent of its desilting target. The agency also cleared 46,831.4 m³ of water hyacinths, or 50.77 percent of its target, and declogged 4,035 m³ of drainage channels, representing 17.39 percent of its goal.The provincial government provided logistical and operational support, while DPWH-12 deployed heavy equipment, including a cutter suction dredge and amphibious excavators, for the large-scale river clearing.Maguindanao del Sur Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu told local media the benefits of the dredging became evident during the recent Typhoon Inday and the enhanced southwest monsoon, which brought heavy rains, as Buluan town was spared from widespread flooding that had affected the locality in previous years. READ: 1 dead as rains batter Mindanao ahead of Inday’s Luzon onslaught Article continues after this advertisement He noted that neighboring municipalities where dredging operations were also conducted experienced less severe flooding than in past monsoon seasons.Mangudadatu said almost 15 kilometers of the river have already been dredged, significantly improving water flow in the municipalities of Buluan, Mangudadatu, Pandag, Paglat and General Salipada K. Pendatun.He, however, stressed that dredging is only a temporary solution and should be complemented by permanent flood-control projects, including river revetments and other engineering works to prevent silt from quickly building up again. He also urged the Bangsamoro government to acquire its own amphibious excavators to ensure regular river maintenance and faster response to recurring floods./coa Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.