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Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Atty. Romando Artes and several Metro Manila mayors met with SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang on Aug. 8, 2025, to discuss ongoing and future flood control projects. This collaborative effort aims to improve the region's resilience against flooding from typhoons and monsoon rains. (Photo by Santi San Juan | MB)
Five of the country’s most influential business groups commended the initiative of tycoon Ramon Ang to address flooding in Metro Manila at no cost to the government or the public.
In a joint statement, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and its affiliate organizations, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT), Philippine Franchise Association (PFA), and the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) lauded Ang over his flood control offer.
“This is consistent with what we always say and do about private sector doing what it can to help government address issues especially if these affect the business and trade communities,” the groups said.
“Backed by huge internal resources built through the years and CSR (corporate social responsibility) programs and projects that benefit communities and the country in general, we are confident that SMC will be able to deliver this commitment that will have long lasting and positive impacts to the economy,” they added.
Ang, chairman and CEO of diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC), recently offered to help address flooding in Metro Manila amid criticism that some of his company’s projects were allegedly causing floods in certain parts of the region.
He said his company is ready to dredge rivers and unclog drains, as long as authorized by the government to do so.
The business groups emphasized that each Filipino can contribute to make a difference in addressing environment degradation.
“Believing in sustainable development, our organizations had been working with government and private sector partners to help promote responsible waste management in our communities and among our member-companies that are after all, heavily regulated already,” the statement read.
“Compliance indeed makes a lot of business sense especially when taken in the context of flooding that has hounded our development and productivity in the recent decades,” they said.
The business groups said they are “one with the government and every Filipino citizen in this journey to achieve a flood-free Philippines.”
They noted that addressing flooding in the country will lead toward a better quality of life and a resilient, sustainable, and progressive economy.
The joint statement was signed by PCCI President Enunina Mangio, ECOP President Edgardo Lacson, Philexport President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., PFA Chairman Christopher Lim, and PRA President and CEO Roberto Claudio.
