IF you grew up in Laguna, you probably have a memory—good or bad—of Biñan River.
Maybe you played by its banks as a kid, watched it swell with rain, or, more likely, noticed its declining state over the years.
For a long time, it was clogged with trash, prone to flooding, and practically lifeless. But now, things are finally looking up as local government efforts with the help of volunteers and cleanup initiatives, including a major push from San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) Better Rivers PH —the improvement of the river is now paying off.
Here’s how they did it and why we should all care:
1. 88K tons of trash— cleared out
In just seven months, 87,899 tons of waste from a 3.2-kilometer stretch of the river have been cleared out. That’s a massive amount of junk that was blocking the river’s natural flow.
2. Flooding has eased
For years, Biñan residents braced themselves for heavy floods every rainy season. Good thing the cleanup paid off and floodwaters receded much faster during recent storms.
Some barangays that used to experience prolonged flooding barely had any issues this time around.
Sana lang magtuloy-tuloy na!
3. A breath of fresh air — literally
One of the most noticeable changes? The river’s smell. Once overpowering, the stench from accumulated waste has significantly diminished, making the area much more livable for nearby communities.
4. Water can flow freely again
A major bottleneck at the river’s mouth had been preventing water from properly draining into Laguna Lake.
With the blockage cleared, water movement has improved, reducing the risk of backflows and helping restore the lake’s ecosystem.
5. More waterways are getting attention
The cleanup effort isn’t stopping at Biñan River.
Nearby rivers—including San Isidro, Tunasan, and Landayan—are also being rehabilitated as part of a broader initiative to restore neglected waterways.
6. Nationwide cleanup impact
Beyond Laguna, cleanups have covered 157.29 kilometers of rivers across Luzon, removing 8.2 million metric tons of waste from major waterways like the Tullahan, Pasig, and Pampanga Rivers. The effort continues to expand.
7. The next challenge: Keeping it clean
Clearing out trash is just the first step—keeping it clean is the real challenge.
If waste continues to be dumped into the river, all the hard work could be undone.
The key to long-term success lies in community involvement, responsible waste management, and stricter enforcement of environmental policies.
8. Looking ahead
With the river now flowing freely again, there’s hope for a cleaner, healthier future. Perhaps one day, instead of being a flood hazard, Biñan River could become a place for recreation and a source of pride for the community.
9. The takeaway
The transformation of Biñan River shows that recovery is possible with sustained effort and cooperation.
But keeping it that way? That’s up to all of us. Small actions—proper waste disposal, community awareness, and environmental responsibility—can make a big difference in ensuring the river remains clean for generations to come.