TBM Insights | Ramon Ang’s Proposed Flood Control Project Offers Solutions, But Raises Questions
Ang’s pledged assistance comes at “no cost to the people and no cost to the government.” Should we be grateful, or should we be concerned?
San Miguel Corporation (SMC) President and CEO Ramon Ang has pledged to personally step in and help address the flooding problems that have long plagued Metro Manila.
Ang made the declaration during a press conference at the SMC head office. Key public figures from Metro Manila LGUs, including Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian, Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon, Las Piñas Mayor Imelda Aguilar, and Rep. Mark Santos attended the said conference. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Don Artes was also present.
‘No Cost to the People and No Cost to the Government’
According to a report, Ang claimed that that the project would come at no cost to the public or the government.
“I, Ramon Ang of San Miguel, am volunteering to be the first to help the whole of Metro Manila address flooding, at no cost to the people and no cost to the government,” Ang said in a mix of English and Filipino.
He then appealed to the mayors to make his plans a reality, saying in Filipino that “We will do the cleaning, but without your authorization, we can’t proceed.”
Ang proposed clearing waste and removing structures, including riverside homes, that obstruct the flow of water to drains and creeks. However, he underscored the importance of ensuring proper relocation for displaced residents.
SMC’s Previous Infrastructure Projects
Ramon Ang and SMC’s strong track record in spearheading infrastructure projects has helped transform Metro Manila and surrounding areas, providing comfort and convenience to the public.
SMC Infrastructure, a subsidiary of SMC, has a portfolio of infrastructure projects spanning tollways, water facilities, railways, and even airports. Successful completed projects include the following:
- Skyway System
- NAIA Expressway (NAIAX)
- Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX)
- Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR)
- Manila North Harbour Port
Infrastructure projects due for completion include the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan, and the 22-kilometer Metro Rail Transit 7 (MRT-7), which will connect multiple locations in Bulacan to Metro Manila.
In addition, SMC Infrastructure has more tollways in the pipeline, such as the Cavite-Batangas Expressway (CBEX), Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX), and Northern Access Link Expressway (NALEX).
Potential gains and setbacks
Flooding has been one of Metro Manila’s most persistent problems, causing billions in damages, traffic paralysis, and health risks. If SMC takes on declogging waterways and clearing obstructions effectively at “no cost to the people and no cost to the government,” Filipinos would benefit from large-scale flood control without funding from taxes or public debt.
It could significantly reduce flooding incidents, improve drainage, and make the city more resilient to heavy rains and typhoons. Flood control funding from SMC could free up government resources for other priorities like healthcare, education, and housing.
It could also mean faster project execution compared to purely government-led initiatives, which are often delayed by bureaucracy and procurement bottlenecks. SMC’s existing experience in large-scale infrastructure may also bring in advanced technology and more efficient construction methods.
Such an undertaking, however, is bound to be fraught with challenges.
As the proposed project entails removing homes along rivers which could displace thousands of informal settler families, it is likely to result in resistance from the occupants of structures along riverbanks. Ang may have stressed the need for relocation sites, but the adequacy, location, and livability of these sites will determine whether affected communities benefit or suffer long-term disruption.
There’s also the question of oversight and accountability. Concerns on transparency, environmental safeguards, and long-term maintenance responsibilities are likely to surface. There’s also the risk of political friction between LGUs, the national government, and SMC if priorities or approaches differ.
Ramon Ang’s flood control project–if successfully executed–could set a precedent for more large-scale, privately funded public works in the Philippines, shifting the traditional public-sector dominance in urban infrastructure projects. While it might encourage other companies to contribute to projects that benefit the general public, it could also blur the lines between corporate philanthropy and business interests.
Ang’s reputation as a known philanthropist precedes him, and his intentions are presumed by many as both genuine and sincere. Should his flood control plan come to fruition, one can only hope it avoids being exploited by self-serving interests of parties involved.