Corporate social responsibility of SMC brought to new heights
All 26.3 kilometers of Pampanga River has benefited from the Better Rivers PH dredging operation.
It might as well be called Better Philippines—the way the dredging operation is improving the environment, the economy, and, of course, the lives of people.
Unbeknownst to many, Better Rivers PH, a brainchild of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) CEO and Chairman Ramon S. Ang, is quietly working to rehabilitate rivers and creeks in Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, and Laguna.
In Metro Manila, Better Rivers PH has brought its full force to Parañaque City, removing more than 139,153 tons of silt and solid waste from waterways surrounding Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The river cleanup is being carried out under the auspices of New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation, which has won the contract to modernize the country’s premier gateway to the world.
San Miguel has already made a ₱30 billion upfront payment to the government, as stipulated in the NAIA contract. In addition, the company must remit ₱2 billion annually to the government for the next 15 years—and for another 10 years thereafter if the contract is extended, subject to mutual agreement.
This raises a question: Is San Miguel merely protecting its investments?
Also through Better Rivers PH, San Miguel has dredged rivers in Bulacan—particularly in Meycauayan, Obando, Bulakan, Bocaue, Marilao, Balagtas, and Guiguinto.
It is no coincidence that San Miguel is constructing the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) in Bulakan, Bulacan. The project is so massive—occupying a 2,500-hectare property—that it is alternatively called San Miguel Aerocity. It is projected to serve 100 million passengers a year when completed three years from now.
To return to the question: Is San Miguel simply safeguarding its interests in NMIA and NAIA?
That may be part of it. But consider this: Better Rivers PH has spent at least ₱1 billion dredging the Tullahan River, which originates in La Mesa Reservoir in Quezon City and winds through Caloocan, Malabon, Valenzuela, and Navotas before flowing into Manila Bay.
There are no direct economic benefits for San Miguel in the Tullahan River rehabilitation—nor in the Pasig River rehabilitation, for that matter.
Several attempts were made in the past to establish waterborne transport along the historic Pasig River, but all failed due to heavy siltation, which made navigation dangerous or impossible in some areas.
Thanks to Better Rivers PH, the Pasig River Ferry System is now a viable option for commuters. Air-conditioned vessels, each seating 50 passengers, now ply the river, picking up commuters at 17 stations in Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Marikina, and Taguig.
Another benefit of the project is its contribution to urban aesthetics.
The Pasig River Esplanade, which opened in January last year, was built by the government—but it was Better Rivers PH that made it possible.
San Miguel, through Better Rivers PH, has also restored the Pampanga River to its normal depth and cleared all the waterways surrounding Laguna Lake.
According to Ang, the massive undertaking has removed 8,248,254 tons of muck—“at no cost to the government.”
Aside from the activities around NAIA in Parañaque and NMIA in Bulacan, San Miguel has no direct financial stakein the dredging operations. It is taking corporate social responsibility to new heights—and for the company, that is reward enough.
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