“Thanks to private sector dynamism, our country’s infrastructure has improved although much remains to be done”
INFRASTRUCTURE, a powerful stimulus for economic progress and sustained economic growth, refers to roads, bridges, airports, railways, among others.
Thanks to private sector dynamism, our country’s infrastructure has improved although much remains to be done.
Government depends on the financial resources and expertise of the private sector to accomplish big-ticket infrastructure projects.
Among the business entities actively involved in the country’s infrastructure program is San Miguel Corporation.
Perhaps no other corporation in the country has achieved what SMC has done.
From being largely a food and beverage manufacturing company, it has earned its reputation in the infrastructure sector.
Steered by the visionary and nation builder Don Ramon S. Ang, or simply RSA, who sits as Chairman and CEO, SMC has undertaken infrastructure projects like road networks and toll roads.
It is building the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan, the MRT Line 7, and, by next month, it will start the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
These infrastructure projects are essential for smoother traffic flow, opening alternative investments sites and boosting growth potentials of nearby provinces.
SMA has allocated P1.2 trillion out of the P1.4 trillion capital expenditure over the next five years for its infrastructure projects including new toll roads stretching 1,100 kilometers that will connect Metro Manila to other provinces.
Also listed in SMC’s infrastructure plan are building new plants, upgrading existing ones, and expanding its mass rail transit system project.
Simply put, RSA’s love for country inspires him to help address infrastructure gaps to attract investors, lure tourists and generate more employment opportunities. With this comes economic growth that will increase demand for SMC’s other businesses.
“When our economy is strong, when more Filipinos are prosperous, all our businesses benefit,” RSA said.
As a frequent traveler to North Luzon, I have experienced the ease of travel through the 89.2-kilometer
Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, completed in 2020, and I look forward to the completion of the TPLEX extension undertaken by SMC as well as the Pangasinan expressway that will link the province’s eastern, central and western areas.
Another infrastructure project is the New Manila International Airport in Bulakan, Bulacan.
Contrary to opinions the country does not need another international gateway, RSA believes there is room for a new one and that income will come not solely from airport operations.
Revenues can be realized from fuel supplies, logistics, retail, among others.
“We select projects that fit well with our current portfolio, create synergies with our other businesses,” he said.
The P740-billion New Manila International Airport project, to be erected on over 2,5000- hectare property, will be a world-class airport developed in phases, with an initial capacity of 35 million passengers annually, and, upon completion, 100 million passengers per year.
It will include components like airfield facilities, terminal building, airport and airline support facilities, access roads, parking facilities, utilities, airport city, and other ancillary facilities.
While SMC has tapped experts to prepare the airport master plan, there is concern that disorganized urban settlements would mushroom along the periphery of the new airport and aerocity.
Perhaps a concerted effort from stakeholders is needed to ensure settlements in the area would contribute to economic growth rather than become a burden especially to the local government unit and residents of the province.
SMC, an active partner in flood mitigation with its river cleanup advocacy, has removed six million metric tons of silt and solid waste from several river systems in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
These river systems include the Tullahan River, San Juan River, Pasig River, rivers in Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, and Laguna.
SMC and RSA serve as major institutional partner of the Million Trees Foundation, Inc., at the forefront with MWSS and DENR in planting trees to protect and rehabilitate seven critical watersheds that provide and supply potable water to Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal and Cavite.
The country needs more partners like SMC and the heart of nation builders like RSA’s.
(MTV, book author and publisher, is presiden/chief executive officer of Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. and also the president/executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-government outfit advocating tree-planting and environmental protection.)
