RSA sets sights on new rivers to conquer for massive cleanup

MANILA, Philippines — Tycoon Ramon S. Ang has set his sights on new waterways to conquer for his group’s massive river cleanup undertaking.

Ang said San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is nearing completion of its extensive cleanup across multiple rivers and waterways in Bulacan, where the group has removed over 4.2 million tons of silt and waste.

“Our goal is to improve river flow and reduce flooding in the area. This work is part of our BetterRiversPH initiative, entirely funded by us since 2020, at no cost to the government or taxpayers,” said Ang, SMC chairman and CEO.

With the Bulacan cleanup almost done, SMC has identified Pampanga River as its upcoming target.

“Next on our list is the Pampanga River, with plans to extend our efforts to Biñan, Laguna and Parañaque City,” he said.

Ang said SMC’s river cleanup initiative in Bulacan is the most extensive of all the river cleanups the group has undertaken.

It has removed waste from major rivers including the Taliptip-Maycapiz-Bambang, Meycauayan, Marilao, Mailad-Sta. Maria, Guiguinto, Balagtas, Pamarawan, Kalero and Labangan-Angat Rivers.

Ang said the total volume of waste and silt removed for the Bulacan cleanup is about twice the combined volume that has been extracted from the Pasig and Tullahan rivers.

The tycoon said desilting and clearing obstructions in rivers are important to mitigate flooding, which has worsened due to factors like low-lying geography, deforestation, garbage clogging waterways, rising sea levels, land subsidence and excessive fishponds.

“Flooding is a complex problem with multiple causes and needing various solutions. We cannot conveniently blame it on one thing, when in fact, the many causes of the problem have already been existing and building up over several generations,” Ang said.