SMC will solve Metro Manila flooding at zero cost to gov't — Ramon Ang
MANILA, Philippines — After being criticized for potentially contributing to floods in Metro Manila, San Miguel Corp.'s very own president offered to help the urban center reduce floods "at no cost to the government."
Tycoon Ramon Ang has publicly committed to working closely with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to address flooding along Metro Manila’s major roads, so long as they're given the authorization to do so.
The company’s support, he said, will include drainage construction, clearing operations, and building houses and schools away from waterways.
"Ngayon, ako po, San Miguel, Ramon Ang, nag-vovolunteer ako ngayon. Ako nang tutulong sa buong Metro Manila baha at no cost to the people, no cost to the government," he said in a press conference on Friday, August 8.
(Now, I, San Miguel, Ramon Ang, am volunteering. I will be the one to help all of Metro Manila in solving the flood problem at no cost to the people, no cost to the government.)
For Ang, the solution to Metro Manila’s flooding is simple — clear clogged drains and canals.
"So bakit kayo nag-iisip kung ano-anong nuclear solution, samantalang pwede naman simple lang? Linisin lang natin 'yung ilog," he said.
(So why think of all sorts of extreme solutions when the answer can be simple? We just need to clean the river.)
Beyond floodwaters blocked by garbage and waste in drainage systems, he added that another major contributor is the construction of roads, homes, and schools on the natural path of waterways.
"Oh, kahit 'yung eskwela, gusto mo bibili na ako ng lupa kapalit nu'n? Tatayuan ko ng kapalit ng eskweal. Pati housing, bibili na rin ako lupa. Maraming naiwan pabahay ng mga tao du'n," he suggested confidently, making it sound easy.
(Oh, even the school, do you want me to buy land to replace it? I’ll build a replacement school. Same with housing, I’ll also buy land. Many people’s homes were left there [near rivers].)
Ang appealed to the public and government to “stop pointing fingers,” recalling how San Miguel Corp. did not blame anyone when it discovered that reconstruction near Bicutan along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) had blocked an entire canal with cement, resulting in chest-deep floods.
"Bineblame na naman ako. ... Mayroon palang reconstruction. ... Nanigas 'yung buong kanal. O, kasalanan ba natin 'yun? Wala nang turuan, pinalitan natin lahat ang kanal. Kami gumawa nu'n at our cost," he said, citing other examples where the firm traced the problem to clogged drains in other roads and immediately took action.
(They’re blaming me again… Turns out there was reconstruction… The entire canal had hardened. So, is that our fault? No more finger-pointing — we replaced the entire canal.)
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) in late July, called out San Miguel Corp. over flooding tied to clogged waterways along major roads, recognizing that the company is the concessionaire for the MRT-7 project and the Metro Manila Skyway.
The multinational conglomerate earlier clarified in a statement that its project along Commonwealth Avenue was not the cause of the flooding, stressing it had considered the drainage layout and approved engineering plans.
Apart from private firms, the country's flood control projects also took center stage as they came under fire during President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Marcos ordered an immediate audit and review of the government’s flood control projects, alleging that some may be tainted with corruption as they have proven ineffective despite billions in taxpayer funds spent.
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