President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. led the launch of Oplan Kontra Baha in Cebu on Friday, November 21, 2025. 

The anti-flooding operational plan has targeted at least seven major waterways in the clearing and cleaning operations. 

The Oplan Kontra Baha is a joint effort of the government and the private sector in the large-scale cleanups and desilting of major waterways in Metro Cebu. 

The President arrived at the boundary of Mandaue City and Cebu City at about 1 p.m. on November 21 for the launch at Mahiga Creek. 

He was with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vivencio (Vince) Dizon, Governor Pamela Baricuatro, and mayors of local government units in Metro Cebu for the simultaneous cleanup of major waterways. These are the waterways from Talisay City to Liloan town that overflowed during Typhoon Tino’s onslaught, resulting to severe flooding. 

During the launch of Oplan Kontra Baha, the President inspected the clearing and cleanup operations at Mahiga Creek. Heavy equipment were used for the operations, such as an amphibious excavator to clear the mouth of the river from silt and other obstruction. 

Several government personnel were also deployed for the cleanup. 

The Oplan Kontra Baha enjoins both public and private sectors for efforts in cleanup, dredging of waterways, removal of obstruction, and implementation of waste management policies.

“Yung last na nagbaha ang mga ilog dahil lahat ng labasan ng tubig ay barado kaya kailangan nating linisin ito titingnan nyo yung backhoe nakapatong na sa lupa, ibig sabihin kailangang ayusin kailangang linisin,” the President said. 

According to Malacañang, the Oplan Kontra Baha is not a one-time program but until challenges in flooding are dealt with wholly. 

Further, the President announced of the plan to construct three to five impounding dams in upland Cebu to control the amount of water that flows to the lowland. 

“Isa ito sa intervention na para maka-protect sa mabilis na ragasa ng tubig papunta sa downstream, it will reduce the velocity and flow,” DPWH 7 Director Danilo Villa said.  

“Hindi ito komplikadong dam, pero the purpose pababagalin lalo na pag may ragasa o flashflood na trap ang silt kahit papaano yung bababa mabagal na tubig konti nalang silt o burak,” according to Toribio Noel Ilao, director of the Bureau of Equipment of DPWH Central Office.

The President assured that the operations will continue and that visits to the target sites will be done regularly to ensure effectivity of Oplan Kontra Baha. 

“Lagi tayong nag-aalala kapag umulan, sana dumating tayo sa panahon na kahit umulan nang malakas hindi natin inaalala na babaha,” Marcos, Jr. said.

Aside from cleanup and desilting of rivers, massive declogging activities of drainages will be conducted to help address concerns on perennial flooding.