SMC Chief Blames Geography, Not Airport Project, for Bulacan Floods

Ramon S. Ang, president of San Miguel Corporation, attributed the persistent flooding in the coastal municipality of Bulakan to the area's low elevation, narrow and winding river systems, and inadequate bridge structures. Speaking at a news conference in Bulakan on Tuesday, Ang emphasized that geographical and topographical limitations—rather than the company's planned New Manila International Airport (NMIA) project—were the primary causes of inundation in the municipality.

The clarification from SMC's leadership comes as the company moves forward with its major airport development in the Bulacan municipality. The NMIA project has faced scrutiny from various quarters, with concerns raised about its potential environmental and infrastructural impacts on the surrounding communities.

Bulakan's vulnerability to flooding has long been a concern for residents, with the municipality's coastal location and low-lying terrain making it susceptible to seasonal monsoons and storm surge. Ang's remarks suggest that any flood mitigation efforts in the area would require addressing fundamental geographical constraints rather than halting or modifying the airport development.

The SMC president's statement underscores the company's position that the NMIA project can proceed without exacerbating the municipality's existing flood challenges. The airport development remains one of the country's most significant infrastructure undertakings in recent years.