Marcos welcomes Ramon Ang's offer to help in addressing flood woes

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday welcomed the proposal of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) president and CEO Ramon Ang to help solve the flooding problems in Metro Manila "at no cost to the government."

Marcos said the private sector has always been a part of the national government's projects and programs. 

''Thank you. What else? What else can you say? This is – this is why we have – this is the reason why from the very beginning, I always said, the private sector needs to be part of everything – of our national development,'' Marcos said at a press conference where he announced the launch of a website about flood control projects.

''Now, ‘yung proposal ni Ramon Ang is also certainly very welcome because, you know, we've seen his projects. Maganda naman ang mga nagiging resulta (The results are good). He's able to bring it in on time. And, you know, the man is an engineer. So, I'm sure he has – pinag-aralan niya nang mabuti ‘yan (He's studying that.),'' he added.

According to Marcos, Ang had previously briefed him on the matter.

''And however, there is still another side to his proposal. And the other side of his proposal, I will fix the flooding problem, I will desilt the areas here in Metro Manila anyway, but the mayors, the LGUs, have to take care of the garbage problem,'' he added. 

Last week, Ang vowed to work on flood mitigation projects, including the construction of drainage systems and clearing operations, as well as housing and school-building programs. 

His firm was previously called out over issues that allegedly contribute to the flooding in some areas, especially in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The SMC had said its MRT-7 Project Management Office has clarified its facilities near Batasan Station on Commonwealth Avenue “are not the cause of the flooding.” — RSJ, GMA Integrated News