Flood prevention efforts in San Juan City are entering a more high-tech phase as local officials turn to artificial intelligence to help keep waterways clear. Last December 11, the city formally introduced the ClearBot Project, a new initiative aimed at reducing river blockages that often worsen flooding during heavy rains.
The project, developed in partnership with the Asian Development Bank and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, brings an AI-powered robotic vessel to the San Juan River. The launch and live demonstration were held at the San Juan Bridge along N. Domingo Street, where officials showcased how the solar-powered device can operate directly on the water to collect floating waste.
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Using AI to Keep Rivers Flowing
ClearBot is designed to continuously scan waterways and identify trash using artificial intelligence, allowing it to retrieve floating debris before it accumulates and restricts water flow. While this marks its debut in San Juan, similar units have already been operating in other Metro Manila cities such as Pasig and Makati.
City officials said the deployment fits into San Juan’s broader flood-mitigation strategy, which focuses on improving river capacity and preventing chokepoints. By removing garbage more efficiently, the city aims to reduce congestion along the river, especially during typhoons and monsoon rains when drainage systems are under heavy strain.
The ClearBot rollout complements ongoing efforts with the national government and San Miguel Corp. to dredge silted sections of the San Juan River. These heavily clogged areas have long been a concern, as built-up sediment slows down water movement and raises flood risks in nearby communities.
Beyond Cleanup: Long-Term Flood Control Plans
San Juan has also stepped up the removal of illegal structures and informal settlements along river easements to restore clear flow paths. According to city officials, clearing these obstructions is critical to ensuring that water can move freely during periods of intense rainfall.
Additional infrastructure is also in the pipeline. The city is planning two more pumping stations to strengthen its ability to discharge excess water during severe weather events. At the same time, preventive measures are being reinforced upstream through partnerships focused on waste management.
To stop garbage from reaching the river in the first place, San Juan is working with the Mother Earth Foundation to train barangay personnel in waste segregation, ecological solid waste management, and community-based programs. The goal is to address flooding not just through cleanup, but by changing how waste is handled at the household and neighborhood levels.
Initiatives like ClearBot highlight how technology is becoming part of everyday disaster preparedness. Flooding remains a recurring problem across the country, disrupting work, classes, and livelihoods. By combining AI, infrastructure upgrades, and community action, projects like this offer a glimpse of how smarter solutions could reduce flood damage and improve urban living, not just in San Juan, but in other flood-prone areas nationwide.
