President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday welcomed the proposal from Ramon Ang, president and CEO of San Miguel Corporation, to desilt the Metro Manila waterways as part of efforts to address recurrent flooding.

However, President Marcos emphasized that desilting should go hand in hand with local government unit-led waste management solutions.

Ang proposed to tackle the flooding issue in Metro Manila without imposing any cost on the government or the public.

“I always said the private sector needs to be part of everything, of our national development,” President Marcos said in a press briefing in Malacañang’s Kalayaan Hall during the launching of a government website for 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 President pointed out that local government units, particularly in the National Capital Region, must address the garbage problem.

President Marcos emphasized that desilting efforts will not work until there is a lasting solution to the garbage problem, and mentioned a proposal for a waste-to-energy facility in the City of Manila and possibly other areas.

The Chief Executive said the country’s taipans could be counted on to support government initiatives.

“And this is not anything new. The so-called taipans of the country pagka mayroon tayong gustong gawin, nag-o-offer talaga sila. Kaya marami silang naitutulong,” the President said. | PND