Manila, Sept. 18 -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and the Apayao provincial government have launched a joint flood-control initiative that will include dredging and clearing waterways in the province.

The "Oplan Kontra Baha" project will run from September 2026 to September 2027 and cover about 12 rivers and creeks spanning a combined 57.52 kilometers, DPWH Undersecretary Charles Calima Jr., commander of the agency's Oplan Kontra Baha Task Force, said Thursday.

"The primary objective of this joint initiative is to curb chronic flooding during heavy rains and typhoons," Calima told the Philippine News Agency. "Flood mitigation strategies will focus heavily on continuous dredging operations, wa...