President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday, August 11, welcomed San Miguel Corporation (SMC) president and CEO Ramon Ang’s offer to help address flooding in Metro Manila.
During a press conference at the Palace, Marcos thanked the initiatives of Ang and praised the tycoon’s track record in completing projects efficiently.
"Thank you. This is the reason why, from the very beginning, I always said the private sector needs to be part of our national development," Marcos said.
“We’ve seen his projects Maganda naman ang mga nagiging resulta. He's able to bring it in on time. And the man is an engineer,” he added.
Marcos said the government is open to Ang’s voluntary assistance in cleaning up the capital region’s rivers and waterways, noting that the SMC chief has proposed dredging, widening, and removing garbage from flood-prone areas at no cost to the government.
“I will certainly look at the proposal of Ramon very closely and see how we can do it...Anybody who wants to help, it's a welcome offer," he emphasized.
Ang has urged local government units (LGUs) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to identify specific areas most vulnerable to flooding so that cleanup operations can start immediately.
However, he emphasized that long-term flood control solutions must also address the persistent garbage problem.
However, Marcos emphasized that the plan’s success hinges on the cooperation of LGUs in addressing the persistent garbage problem.
"The mayors, the LGUs have to take care of the garbage problem. It simply doesn't work until we have a solution to the garbage problem," he explained, citing a waste-to-energy project in Manila that could serve as a model for other urban areas prone to flooding.
Marcos also expressed support for Senator Panfilo Lacson’s proposal to involve other billionaires in funding key projects in the country, saying offers of help from the private sector are always welcome.
“Siyempre. You know, you don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Kung handa silang tumulong, tumutulong. And this is not anything new. The so-called taipans of the country, pagka meron tayong gustong gawin, nag-o-offer talaga sila. Kaya’t marami silang naitutulong,” Marcos stated.
During the same briefing, Marcos also launched the official website "Sumbong Sa Pangulo," which lists all flood control projects across the country and allows the public to monitor their status.
