MANILA — San Miguel Corporation’s infrastructure unit has increased the deployment of tollways personnel to efficiently manage the anticipated surge in vehicle traffic across its expressways during the long Lenten holiday.
These expressways include the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), Skyway System, NAIA Expressway, and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX).
To ease congestion at peak times, additional ambulant tellers equipped with handheld RFID card readers will be stationed at toll plazas’ entry and exit points.
SMC Infrastructure has also intensified patrol surveillance to ensure rapid emergency responses and assistance for motorists in need.
With an expected 10% surge in traffic, partly fueled by efforts to promote domestic tourism, SMC is coordinating with local government units to ensure smooth traffic flow.
“We urge motorists to plan their trips in advance for a smoother, safer drive along expressways. Ensuring your vehicle is well-maintained and roadworthy is important for your convenience and safety. This will help prevent common issues like tire blowouts and engine overheating. Such problems can cause considerable delays and inconvenience, affecting not just you but others as well,” said Ramon S. Ang, President and CEO of SMC.
Motorists are also reminded to maintain sufficient balance in their Autosweep RFID accounts to prevent toll plaza delays. Easy top-up options — including online banking, e-wallets, and payment kiosks —are available through various channels. Extended service hours at Autosweep desks and stations are also implemented to facilitate the switch to RFID, in line with cashless transaction policies.
“Safety remains our top priority,” Ang said as he reminded motorists to follow seatbelt, safe distance, and speed limit regulations.
Speed limits are enforced at 100 kph for Class 1 vehicles and 80 kph for Classes 2 and 3 on at-grade expressways, with a 60 kph limit on Skyway Stage 3 and NAIA Expressway for enhanced safety.
(el Amigo/MNM)
DPWH Secretary Manny Bonoan and SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang officially opened the Tramo access ramp of the NAIA Expressway on Friday, March 1, in Pasay City. The new access ramp enhances the accessibility of the country’s main international gateway and will help to ease traffic congestion in nearby areas, amid rising traffic volume due to increasing demand.
MANILA — San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) infrastructure arm officially opened the new access ramp of the NAIA Expressway (NAIAx) at Tramo in Pasay City on Friday (01 March 2024).
The move is expected to ease traffic in the area and provide seamless access to the country’s main international gateway and other areas.
Speaking at its ceremonial opening on March 1, 2024, SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang explained the importance of the 800-meter access ramp for motorists, particularly for those using EDSA southbound coming from Makati, or northbound, coming from the Entertainment City.
“This Tramo access ramp provides another option for motorists heading to the airport, and other areas in Paranaque City and Cavite province. We believe it can help relieve overall traffic congestion in the area, and improve traffic flow within the vicinity of the airport,” Ang said.
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan led the inauguration of the new access ramp and credited the company for supporting the government’s efforts to build vital infrastructure to sustain the country’s economic growth.
“The Tramo access ramp has been in San Miguel’s drawing board for a long, long time because they knew it would enhance the efficiency of NAIA expressway, and improve the mobility of motorists going to the airport,” Bonoan said.
Bonoan said further improvements on NAIAx are being studied by their agency, as the grantor of the concession, in partnership with SMC, to improve the flow of traffic to airport terminals, given growing demand.
“The Department of Public Works and Highways will always be there to support and implement these projects to improve traffic flow especially here in Metro Manila,” he added.
For his part, Ang remained firm in the company’s commitment to work closely with the government, as it pursues infrastructure projects that benefit Filipinos.
“San Miguel will continue to pursue these vital infrastructure projects, in close coordination with our government, because of their benefits to our people and economy. Through these projects, we also create jobs, improve the mobility of goods and services, and make our cities and regions more primed for growth. All these serve to support and sustain our growing economy,” Ang said.
The NAIA expressway is an 11-kilometer elevated toll road that connects the Skyway System to the three passenger terminals of NAIA, the country’s main international gateway, as well as to Pasay’s Entertainment City, Macapagal Boulevard, Sucat Road in Paranaque City, and the road network to Cavite province.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — San Miguel Aerocity, Inc. (SMAI), a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation (SMC), has inaugurated its Saribuhay sa Dampalit project in Barangay Pamarawan, Malolos, Bulacan.
This pioneering initiative marks the launch of the Philippines’ first Biodiversity Offset Program (BOP) — part of the company’s nature-based solutions to building its New Manila International Airport project (NMAI) in Bulacan.
It aims to balance development efforts with environmental preservation, support local livelihoods, and address flooding issues in Bulacan’s flood-prone areas.
The pilot BOP site in Pamarawan covers 40 hectares with plans to expand to 800 hectares of offset sites across various areas.
The launch event was attended by Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna, Undersecretary Augusto dela Pena, Undersecretary Ignatius Rodriguez, Dutch Ambassador Marielle Geraedts, and representatives from SMAI.
“The Saribuhay sa Dampalit project is an integrative approach to development that respects and enhances the natural environment alongside our infrastructure objectives. We firmly believe that progress and nature can co-exist, benefiting both the ecosystem and the local community. We thank everyone involved – from our government partners, environmental groups, and local community members for helping make this possible,” said SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang.
Adhering to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) environment and social standards, the project has provided a rich feeding ground to the visiting migratory birds which have been in record numbers this time. Proof that the Offset Site constructed by SMAI has successfully provided sufficient food for the shorebirds.
Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga noted that this was the first and the largest scale biodiversity offset project in the country.
She stressed the importance of embracing the mitigation hierarchy for net positive infrastructure development, highlighting its importance in building inclusive and resilient communities while protecting biodiversity for future generations.
SMAI’s efforts include a range of scientifically grounded measures to ensure the newly created habitats meet the specific needs of the wildlife they aim to protect. More importantly, the BOP project has engaged residents affected by the NMIA project, providing employment and raising awareness about the importance of preserving migratory shorebirds.
SMAI Project Director Cecile L. Ang said, “By involving residents in our efforts, we’re not just building infrastructure, we are cultivating a community that values and actively contributes to environmental preservation.”
Alejandra Libao, who relocated from the airport project site and currently serving as the team leader in the offset site, shared how the program has transformed their outlook in life.
“Dapat pala ‘yung mga ibon,minamahal namin. Ngayon nalaman namin na may mga migratory bird pala, dati ‘kala namin tagak- tagak lang iyan. ‘Yung community ho nagkaroon ng hanapbuhay tapos minahal na rin nila ‘yung mga ibon. Hindi namin akalain na meron palang nag-aalaga ng ibon. Akala namin binubugaw lang namin ‘yan.”
Ang is optimistic that the project will extend beyond wildlife protection, potentially turning the area into a prime location for bird-watching, boosting tourism, and creating even more opportunities for local communities.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — San Miguel Corporation (SMC) announced its readiness to take on the modernization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after its SMC SAP & Company Consortium’s financial offer was deemed the superior among three bidders during today’s (Thursday, 08 Feb 2024) proceedings at the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Included in the SMC consortium are San Miguel Holdings Corp, RMM Asian Logistics, Inc., RLW Aviation Development Inc., and Incheon International Airport Corp (IIAC), each bringing unique strengths to the project.
Ramon S. Ang, President and CEO of SMC, emphasized that the consortium’s financial proposal prioritizes benefits to the government and the Filipino people.
“We aim to elevate NAIA to a world-class standard, ensuring an exceptional experience for all travelers with first-rate services and facilities. Our commitment is to ensure this project brings significant value and advantages to our nation, our government, and our kababayans,” Ang remarked.
He lauded the DOTr for facilitating a transparent and equitable bidding process.
Ang highlighted its strategic collaboration with IIAC, focused on developing an airport ecosystem that promotes better connectivity, high-quality service, and operational efficiency, alongside offering affordable and accessible travel options for Filipinos.
IIAC is the developer and operator of the Incheon International Airport, the largest airport in South Korea, which opened in 2001.
Incheon International Airport was ranked by air transport research firm Skytrax as the 4th best airport in the world in 2022 and the world’s first airport to be awarded the highest level of customer experience by the trade association of the world’s airports, Airports Council International.
He also pointed to the potential synergies with its ongoing development of the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) project in Bulacan. This concurrent development is expected to enhance operational efficiencies, reduce costs, and optimize flight schedules, contributing to a more connected and accessible Philippines poised for future growth.
“Our vision is to create an integrated airport network that not only improves the travel experience but also supports sustainable economic growth and elevates the Philippines as a prime hub for tourism, business, and investment in the region,” Ang remarked.
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MANILA — Longtime sports patron Ramon S. Ang believes the country is geared to win more golds in the coming Paris Olympics as he paid tribute to all Filipino athletes, particularly those who were honored during the recent Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards.
Ang, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) President and Chief Executive Officer, received his second PSA Executive of the Year award, and this time, he shared it with Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) Chairman and President Manny V. Pangilinan as their partnership paved the way for the Asiad basketball gold.
He said the upcoming OIympiad will mark the 100th year of the Philippines’ participation as the country looks to replicate the feat of gold-winning weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in the Tokyo Games.
“Everything is possible when all the country’s stakeholders work together. It was just three years ago when Hidilyn Diaz shone in Tokyo for our first gold in the Olympics. And just last year, we grabbed the Asian Games gold in basketball which eluded us for 60 years. So I think another breakthrough is possible,” Ang said.
“That gold medal was the result of the hard work and effort of not just the players and coaching staff, but most especially, MVP himself. The Gilas Pilipinas program is really his brainchild, and without his vision, commitment, and patriotism to see the program through all these years, we probably would not have a champion Gilas team,” Ang said.
“We are proud to have been allowed to be part of it, and we thank MVP for lifting Philippine basketball to greater heights,” he added.
At the invitation of Pangilinan, Ang supported the country’s successful co-hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, when the Philippine team shared the spotlight with the world’s best basketball teams.
“I thank the PSA for the honor and dedicate it to the Gilas Pilipinas team who worked so hard to bring home the gold medal in the face of tough odds,” Ang, who was first conferred with the PSA Executive of the Year Award in 2017, said.
He added: “ I hope the amazing feat of the Philippine basketball team will also inspire our athletes to go for more gold medals in Paris.”
Olympian and pole vaulter EJ Obiena led those who were feted during the annual awards conducted by the country’s oldest sportswriting organization.
Also honored were Philippine Women’s Football team Filipinas, Asian Games gold medalists Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez June Mar Fajardo (Mr. Basketball), Tots Carlos (Ms. Volleyball), Sarina Bolden (Ms. Football), and Alex Eala (Ms. Tennis).
To honor the country’s Olympic medal winners in Tokyo, Ang provided P22 million in incentives, including P10 million to weightlifter Diaz. Boxers Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio also got P5 million each for winning silver medals while Eumir Marcial earned P2 million for his bronze medal feat.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — Less than four months since completing its P2-billion initiative to clean up the Pasig River, San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) comprehensive efforts to rehabilitate major river systems have shifted to high gear in Central Luzon.
In a little over a year, the company has removed more than two (2) million metric tons (MT) of silt and waste covering a distance of around 25 kilometers of river channels in Bulacan, initially focusing on areas around the future New Manila International Airport and upstream rivers in Obando, Bulakan, Bocaue, and Meycauayan City within the same catch basin.
Additionally, SMC has started conducting bathymetric studies at the Pampanga River, following the completion of river studies in another catch basin in Bulacan.
These studies aim to assess the depth of water across the river channels and determine the shallow areas that restrict the flow of water through both provinces before reaching Manila Bay. Heavy siltation and pollution in these rivers are major contributors to the widespread flooding in both Bulacan and Pampanga.
Ramon S. Ang, SMC President and CEO, said that although the rainy season is months away, their cleanup teams have started working to increase the water-carrying capacity of these rivers and mitigate flooding, especially in low-lying areas, during heavy rains.
Ang explained that siltation and pollution have made many rivers narrow, shallow, and less capable of handling large volumes of floodwater, leading to severe flooding in adjacent areas.
He added: “Similar to our efforts at the Pasig and Tullahan Rivers, we are removing years of solid waste and silt accumulation to increase the rivers’ depth and capacity. This will not only improve water flow but also ensure safer conditions for water vessels.”
Last October 2023, SMC launched its expanded river cleanup program by signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the local government units of several cities and provinces.
The expanded program will include the upstream areas of the Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, and Guiguinto; other main river systems in different catch basins in Malolos, Hagonoy, and Calumpit; the Pampanga River, and rivers in Laguna, Cavite, Navotas, and San Juan.
“Since the completion of our Pasig and Tullahan river cleanups, communities and stakeholders have reported lesser incidence of heavy flooding in their areas. In instances where there is still flooding, floodwaters still recede faster,” Ang noted.
He added: “Our recent project to clean up the Tullahan and Pasig Rivers has given our people significant experience and expertise in carrying out such massive efforts. Combined with our robust fleet of heavy equipment that we’ve already invested in, we’re fully prepared and committed to undertake this expanded cleanup to rid our rivers of pollution and mitigate flooding” Ang said.
To date, SMC has removed a total of 2,017,336 metric tons of silt and waste completing the surrounding rivers of the future site of the New Manila International airport in Maycapiz – Taliptip River, downstream part of Meycauayan River, and moving upstream of Meycuayan River, Mailad- Sta Maria River and Guiguinto River.
Including the total output of its Pasig River cleanup, which includes the still-ongoing cleanup of the San Juan River (1,437,391 tons of silt and wastes) and the completed Tullahan River cleanup (1,124,183 metric tons), SMC’s river rehabilitation efforts have removed over 4.5 million tons of wastes from approximately 68 kilometers of river systems.
SMC is further extending its cleanup operations in Bulacan to include the Pamarawan River, Malolos River, Hagonoy River, Labangan-Angat River, and Pampanga River, extending up to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).
San Miguel Corporation’s dredging equipment is shown during clean-up operations at the Maycapiz-Taliptip River and also at the Pasig River. In just over a year, the company reported that over 2 million metric tons of silt and waste were removed from several rivers in Bulacan.
MANILA — San Miguel Corporation’s Backyard Bukid, initiated in 2021 to assist its service personnel during the pandemic, has grown into a vibrant urban farm at the company’s head office complex, now cultivating 39 varieties of flowering plants and vegetables.
Covering 750 square meters, the space now includes a plant nursery, 80 garden plots, and also functions as a center for employee wellness, volunteerism, and training.
Replicated in several SMC facilities by the San Miguel Foundation, the project has recently been expanded through a partnership with Urban Farmers PH, enhancing the farm’s diversity and variety of produce.
Among the farmyard staples tomato, okra, ampalaya, the farm produces kale, romaine lettuce and other salad greens.
“I am proud to see the progress of our Backyard Bukid project. Apart from promoting urban agriculture, it has also become a space for our support staff to collaborate and learn life-long skills that will help them become more resilient and self-sufficient. I’m grateful to our partner, Urban Farmers PH, for helping us expand this project. Our goal is to extend this initiative to even more facilities, involve more employees, and encourage other companies to do the same,” San Miguel Corp President and CEO Ramon Ang said.
Louie Gutierrez, Urban Farmers PH founder and farmer-in-chief, said: “We’re really happy and excited to be connecting with companies like San Miguel. The pandemic showed us that we need to have growing vegetables in idle lands in the city. We hope this project inspires SMC employees and other companies to get into agriculture because this is the future of our food.”
Urban Farmers PH was established in 2021 with the aim of converting underutilized public spaces into thriving urban farms. It has several ongoing projects, including urban farms in Taguig and Makati cities. It is also a grand prize winner of the Copenhagen Business School’s ImpaktWISE Awards, which recognizes organizations that offer solutions to social, environmental, and economic challenges.
Currently, SMC’s Backyard Bukid follows a harvest cycle of 20 to 35 days. Once the produce is harvested, it is distributed among members who then sell it to employees.
Some of the harvest is also bought by SMC and donated to its Better World Tondo community center for its daily feeding program. The company also has plans to buy the vegetables for the office canteen.
Support staff involved in the project dedicate an hour every morning and afternoon to tend to the farm. They also attend weekly plant care sessions with Urban Farmers PH.
“Masayang masaya po ako sa Backyard Bukid. Maliban sa madami akong nakilalang bagong mga kaibigan, natuto po ako dito magtanim at mag-alaga ng mga halaman. Maraming, maraming salamat po kay Boss RSA at sa San Miguel at binigyan po kami ng project na ganito na napapakinabangan po namin,” shares Backyard Bukid member Je-An Layva.
As one of the biggest and most diversified conglomerates in the country, SMC has launched various initiatives that aim to promote agriculture and assist local farmers.
In July 2020, the company opened Better World Diliman, a community center that serves as a ready market for excess produce from all over Luzon. To date, Better World Diliman has rescued over 950,000 kilograms of produce and helped some 4,500 farmers–and in the process, has helped reduce food waste from local farms.
Furthermore, the company’s food group recently launched an Agripreneurship Scholarship program in Davao and Bicol, which benefits scholars from SEED Philippines. The program’s ultimate goal is to employ graduates in the company’s farms in both provinces.
Earlier, SEED Philippines also helped SMC’s packaging division to create urban farms in their facilities in Manila and Cavite.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — Since 2013, in the aftermath of typhoons Sendong and Yolanda, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has been at the forefront of building resilient housing communities nationwide.
Partnering with several organizations including Gawad Kalinga and Habitat for Humanity, SMC has invested P3.05 billion in the last decade to build or help provide new homes for families impacted by natural disasters and various development projects.
SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang, acclaimed as a “Hero of Philanthropy” by Forbes Asia, emphasizes that providing secure housing is the first step in empowering families for nation-building.
“Housing is a basic need. To enable Filipinos to participate in nation-building, we must first support the family unit. Providing safe homes for those affected by calamities or without a home has been our first step to transforming their lives,” he said.
SMC has built homes and communities in various areas nationwide, including Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Negros Oriental, Davao, Surigao, and Bohol, among others.
By the time the pandemic happened in 2020, SMC’s program had evolved from simply building houses to advancing holistic community development.
Its latest housing community in Sariaya, Quezon serves as a model. It features disaster-resilient and eco-friendly homes and amenities that include a multi-purpose center, covered court, livelihood center, e-library, as well as a fishermen’s wharf and a public market run by the residents themselves.
Training programs on entrepreneurship, personal finance, food processing, farming, and other income-generating activities have also been provided to residents.
In partnership with the Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA), SMC has extended this skills and livelihood training program nationwide, while assisting informal settlers in various locations secure titled properties and build permanent homes in various locations.
“Wherever San Miguel operates, progress follows. We aim to ensure that those we help are equipped for long-term success,” Ang said.
“But just as important as housing and jobs is having a sense of community. Being part of a supportive network is essential for their long-term success,” Ang added.
This is what brought the company to its current flagship social development program, the SMC Better World Community Centers.
The project utilizes SMC’s unused properties as well as other resources, to scale up the capabilities of partner organizations, to address pressing issues at the community level.
SMC currently has four Better World Community Centers: Better World Tondo, a food bank, feeding, learning, and health center; Better World Diliman, a ready market for excess farm produce to support local farmers; Better World Cubao, a center for women’s health and issues that also has a clinic and livelihood training facilities, and Better World Smokey Mountain, a learning center for adults and children living in the former Smokey Mountain landfill.
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MANILA — San Miguel Corporation (SMC) climbed 131 spots up to number 43 on the annual World’s Best Employers list by Forbes Magazine and research firm Statista, emerging as the runaway leader among a few Filipino firms that made it to the global rankings.
SMC, led by President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang, climbed to 43rd place this year from 174 in last year’s ranking, to become the only Philippine firm to make it to the top 50 of the world’s best.
Other Philippine companies that made it to the elite roster are Security Bank (54th), Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company or Metrobank (162nd), Ayala Corporation (186th), Alliance Global (283rd), Landbank (304th), LT Group (361st), and SM Investments (420th).
According to Forbes.com, rankings were determined through a survey conducted by market research firm Statista, which covered more than 170,000 employees who work for various multinational companies and institutions from over 50 countries worldwide.
“It’s a great honor to make it to this list of the world’s 700 best employers, along with some of the most recognized and most successful Philippine firms. This just goes to show that Filipinos can compete and run proudly with the very best in the world. It also shows that given the right training, motivation, support, and a sense of a higher purpose, the Filipino workforce is highly motivated, effective, dedicated, and therefore fulfilled in their work,” said Ang.
He added: “Specific to us in San Miguel, I believe that our strong emphasis on business for nation-building, our core value of malasakit, coupled with our decisive and impactful actions related to greater sustainability, has really resonated with our employees. We have also always strived to provide our employees with an environment where they can learn, realize their potential, build good relationships with colleagues, and feel they are part of not just a great heritage, but also of something bigger. We believe this has greatly contributed to whatever successes we’ve had over the years.”
This is the second time that SMC ranked high in a global business survey this year. In September, it placed in the top 50% of Time Magazine’s list of the World’s Best Companies for 2023, ranking 347 overall, and making it to the top two of just six Filipino firms that made it to the list.
Ang said these favorable rankings signify that San Miguel is still one of the companies that many Filipinos admire and want to work for.
This is especially relevant as the company aims to create new employment opportunities through its various major projects, including the New Manila International Airport (NMIA)–said to be the single largest investment by a Filipino company, and in the Philippines by far.
Recently, it renewed a partnership with the Technical Educations and Skills Authority (TESDA), to expand a joint skills training partnership to train more workers for upcoming job opportunities at the NMIA and other major SMC projects nationwide.
Apart from competitive compensation and benefits, SMC has various programs to help employees hone their skills to advance in their careers and maintain their health and well-being.
The company also provides employees with opportunities to give back to the community through volunteerism for its various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability programs.
For the Forbes and Statista survey, companies were rated based on criteria including talent development, remote working options, parental leave benefits, diversity, work-life balance, and pride in the products or services that the company offers.
Respondents were also asked if they would recommend their company to family and friends and also rate companies within their own industries and countries.
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San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) signed an integration agreement for the connection of the Arca South on and off ramps into the South-East Metro Manila Expressway (SEMME) or Skyway Stage 4 Project. At the event were (Left to Right) ALI Senior Project Development Head Mayi Rodriguez, President and CEO Meean Dy, Vice Chairman Cezar “Bong” Consing, and Senior Vice President Mariana Zobel with SMC President and CEO Ramon Ang, Deputy CFO and Head of Treasury Joseph Pineda, and SMC Infrastructure CFO Raoul Romulo.
MANILA — San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) have signed an Integration Agreement to connect the Arca South on and off ramps into the Skyway system via the upcoming South East Metro Manila Expressway (SEMME) or Skyway Stage 4 project.
The collaboration marks a significant milestone in addressing the growing need for efficient transportation and connectivity in Metro Manila.
SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang, Ayala Corp. President Cezar P. Consing, and ALI President and CEO Anna Ma. Margarita B. Dy signed the agreement.
The integration of Arca South on and off ramps into the Skyway Stage 4 project, is set to commence construction in 2024 and will enable seamless access from the Skyway to Arca South.
SMC Infrastructure is the concessionaire for the 32.66-kilometer Skyway Stage 4, that connects the Skyway system at the Arca South to Batasan Complex in Quezon City. The expressway will provide an alternate route from the South to the Eastern parts of Metro Manila including Rizal province.
With interchanges at Ortigas Avenue Extension, Marcos Highway, and Tumana Bridge towards the Batasan complex, it is seen to ease traffic congestion on major arteries such as EDSA and C5 and enhance connectivity throughout Metro Manila’s Eastern corridor.
The partnership will also significantly boost transportation, as it enhances future connectivity to other major infrastructure projects planned within Arca South, including the Taguig Integrated Terminal Exchange (Taguig-ITX), North-South Commuter Railway, and Metro Manila Subway Project.
This will significantly benefit commuters and contribute to the overall improvement of transportation in the region, aligning with SMC and ALI’s commitment to nation-building and infrastructure development.
“We are pleased to announce our collaboration with San Miguel Corporation which will allow for the integration of Arca South into the SEMME,” Cezar Consing, Ayala Land vice chairman said. “This collaboration will improve connectivity, benefiting not only the Arca South community but various stakeholders in Taguig as well,” he added.
For his part, SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang said: “We are grateful for this opportunity to work with Ayala Land. This also supports the vision for Arca South to create more jobs, new business opportunities, and deliver more residential and lifestyle options for Filipinos–while dispersing economic growth and easing traffic congestion.”
He added: “This partnership shows that when major companies work together, the potential for driving positive change is immense. By combining our resources and expertise, we will be doing more than just building infrastructure. We will pave the way towards a more connected Metro Manila, where people have a better chance to thrive, prosper, and enhance their quality of life.”
Ayala Land’s focus on accessibility, particularly for its Central Business Districts such as Makati, BGC, and Arca South, is underscored by the strategic integration of Arca South into the Skyway Stage 4 Project.
Arca South, launched by ALI in 2014, is a testament to Ayala Land’s dedication to creating vibrant and sustainable communities. The 74-hectare mixed-use master-planned development serves as a central business district, featuring six residential projects, commercial lots, and various components such as Ayala Malls Arca South, Landers, a football field, and an events area.
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Three years after it launched its landmark river cleanup and flood mitigation initiative–which has led to the removal of over 3 million metric tons of silt and solid wastes from the Pasig, Tullahan, and San Juan Rivers–San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is setting its sights on a more ambitious goal: cleaning up and rehabilitating three major river systems as well as other tributaries and waterways throughout Metro Manila, Pampanga, Cavite, and Bulacan.
Dubbed “SMC’s Adopt-A-River program”, this initiative is possibly the country’s biggest and most impactful corporate social responsibility (CSR) effort in collaboration with the national and local governments.
The initiative has gained broad-based support from various stakeholders, including national, provincial, and city governments, whose localities stand to benefit from the massive undertaking.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manual Bonoan led national government support for the program at the formal signing of the memorandum of agreement.
Also present at the signing and joining the effort were Cavite Gov. Juanito Victor Remulla, Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda, and Navotas City Mayor John Ray Tiangco.
“This initiative is unlike anything we have seen before. It is perhaps the most extensive environmental effort involving both government and the private sector. In one decisive move, we are cleaning up many major rivers and waterways. We are doing this as a public service, at no cost to the government or taxpayers,” SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang said.
He added that: “ It is important to understand that cleaning up rivers is not a quick fix. It is a very important step in the river restoration process. It paves the way for polluted waterways to heal.”
SMC began its river advocacy three years ago spending over P3 billion and removing over three million metric tons of oil and waste from the Pasig River, Tullahan River, and San Juan River.
The massive initiative covers the following rivers:
• River systems in Bulacan including the Meycauayan, Maycapiz-Taliptip, and Mailad Rivers, the Bambang Creek, Marilao River, Sta. Maria River, Guiguinto River, Pamarawan River, Labangon-Angat River, Malolos River, and Hagonoy River.
• Pampanga River
• Maragondon River and other related tributaries in Cavite
• Waterways in Navotas City, including Muzon River, Batasan River, and the Navotas River
• San Pedro River in Laguna
• San Juan River
DENR Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga lauded the company for its continuous efforts to clean up major river systems and the expansion of the program, aligned with the government’s environmental objectives.
“This partnership enables DENR to achieve three main mandates by investing and allowing water to flow and impound it correctly where it is needed. Most of all, we were able to fulfill a new role assigned to us by our President when he created the Water Resources Management Office… We are very grateful to San Miguel Corporation for its kind and generous support of our government activities,” Loyzaga said.
For his part, DPWH Secretary Bonoan said: “We commend SMC for taking this noble initiative, for using your own resources and manpower to rehabilitate rivers that will benefit numerous communities and residents of various provinces. The initiative not only reflects a commitment to environment stewardship but also signifies dedication to preserving our rivers that have suffered the brunt of pollution and neglect and human activities.”
The local government partners also extolled the efforts of SMC to clean up waterways in their areas.
“What they plan to do is solve the problem in Noveleta, Rosario, General Trias, and Imus, which comprise maybe 10% of the land area, but 90% of flooding. With JICA and San Miguel, we expect to solve flooding in Cavite 100%,” said Cavite Governor Remulla.
“What affects Bulacan affects Navotas, affects Manila, affects Cavite,” Remulla continued. “(Ramon Ang) brings us together to realize there is hope for this country if we act together.”
For his part, Governor Pineda said: “Noong nakaraang kalamidad, talaga pong namorublema kami kung paano bibigyang solusyon ang baha sa probinsya. Kaya nagpapasalamat po ang mga Kapampangan kay boss Ramon Ang at sa SMC… Alam ko po na ang gagastusin ninyo dito bilyon, pero wala po kayong inaasahan na kapalit. Hindi po namin makakalimutan itong tulong na binigay niyo.”
Navotas City Mayor Tiangco, who lauded SMC’s cleanup of the Tullahan River in support of the rehabilitation of Manila Bay, said: Our ultimate goal is to restore the waters surrounding Navotas to a classification fit for fishing, aquaculture, and other recreational water activities. Hence, we fully support San Miguel Corporation’s Adopt-A-River program and its noble endeavor to clean up and rejuvenate bodies of water.”
Ang said that while the expanded project already covers the major rivers and waterways that significantly contribute to flooding, the initiative may still be expanded as needed, should the government request the coverage of more rivers.
He added that SMC has already started conducting bathymetric studies on the rivers, to determine problem areas that have become shallow due to decades of accumulated silt and garbage. DENR and the company will then develop the appropriate dredging plans.
Over the last three years, as it implemented its ambitious P3-billion cleanup effort for the Pasig River, Tullahan River, and San Juan River, SMC has acquired various specialized heavy equipment that enable it to conduct river cleanup efforts in various conditions more efficiently.
Ang said that its cleanup personnel have also gained significant experience and skill in conducting cleanups efficiently and according to government standards.
SMC’s efforts have been credited with lesser incidences of flooding throughout Metro Manila, despite the yearly succession of typhoons, as the removal of millions of tons of solid wastes has deepened and widened once shallow and heavily polluted rivers.
This has complemented the government’s continuing flood mitigation efforts, including the putting of pumping stations in critical areas.
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Some 74 railway professionals under the cadetship program of San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) Metro Rail Transit-7 (MRT-7) project recently completed their mandatory training under the Philippine Railways Institute (PRI), a vital step towards ensuring that the soon-to-be-operational mass transit system provides a seamless and enhanced commuting experience for countless Filipinos.
The Fundamental Training Course (FTC), which began in July, was structured to provide the cadets with specialized skills and expertise. This rigorous preparation aims to meet the high standards required to handle the sophisticated operations of the MRT-7, set to revolutionize urban transit in the country.
In July this year, SMC separately sent 40 cadets to Seoul to train under KORAIL, South Korea’s leading railway operator and the conglomerate’s technical partner. They completed their training in September.
SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang congratulated the cadets for completing the course under the guidance of PRI experts during the commencement exercise held at the SMC head office complex.
“The MRT-7 project is not just about infrastructure, it’s also about people. And your duty is not just to operate a mass transit system, but to serve Filipinos daily, embodying the San Miguel culture of malasakit,” Ang said.
“That is why your training is among our top priorities. We always have to be at the top of our game, because what we do will make a big difference in the lives of so many Filipinos,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Undersecretary Paul Yebra hailed the graduates for proving their worth as railway professionals, who are now certified to “safely operate these multimillion-peso” facility and equipment.
“It is our goal that the graduates of the PRI FTC will put their skills and knowledge to use and help the government provide comfortable, accessible, safe, sustainable and efficient rail travel experience,” said transportation undersecretary Paul Yebra.
“As these graduates embark in the next chapter of their rail career, they should stay focused on the sector’s goal of upgrading our railway standards through human resource competency development,” he added.
The graduates received their certificates from Yebra and Undersecretary Anneli Lontoc, executive director of the PRI, who likewise extended her commendation to the trainees.
“Today you stand on the cusp of a remarkable journey in the realm of railways, a sector that is rapidly evolving and expanding. You have shown unwavering determination to acquire the competencies required to operate and maintain our railway system,” Lontoc said.
Of the 74 cadets who completed the FTC Cycle 7, 27 of them graduated from the railway engineering program of state-run Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).
One of the cadets who graduated from PUP’s railway engineering program is Chrystelle Mhae Ibarreta, who topped FTC Cycle 7. Reflecting on her journey as a Filipino railway professional, Ibarreta said she felt her choice to pursue railway engineering no longer seemed to be an accident.
“At first, I chose the program because it had many slots available, and I was not able to join the program I wanted. But looking back, I found my purpose, and the cadetship program always reminded me that what I experienced was all worth it,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to Ang for opening the cadetship program to fresh graduates because it gave them an opportunity to become a railway professional just like what they studied in college.
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