“We look forward to more years of success.”
I GREET the men and women of San Miguel Corporation, one of the largest and most diversified conglomerates in the Philippines, as the company celebrates its 134th founding anniversary this year.
Six score and 14 years ago, SMC began its remarkable journey as a beer manufacturing company to become an eventual reliable government partner in nation-building.
SMC is very much part of our everyday lives and of our cherished celebrations. I could not imagine special occasions that demonstrate our rich cultural heritage such as fiestas without the popular SMC products.
SMC’s transformation into a diversified conglomerate became very evident during the stewardship of its current Chairman and CEO Don Ramon S. Ang (RSA).
Its businesses now cover fuel and oil, energy, packaging, infrastructure like airports, roads and mass transport systems, logistics, information and technology, real estate, cars and motorcycles, and banking, aside from food and beverage manufacturing.
RSA said in his milestone message, reaching 134 years is no mean feat. “Today we celebrate the enduring bond we share with generations of Filipinos. We wouldn’t have reached this milestone without the hard work of employees, past and present, and the support of millions of Filipinos who have chosen our products and services.”
Perhaps no other Filipino corporation has made a great impact on the lives of Filipinos every day as SMC.
The network of toll roads and highways SMC completed has made travelling more convenient and movement of products and services faster.
It is rehabilitating the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to make it at par with the world’s best airports even as it is also undertaking the construction of the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan to complement NAIA.
It endeavors to promote sustainability across all its operations with the aim of reducing its environmental footprint, promotion of social inclusion and “building a stronger, more resilient, and globally competitive company.”
RSA said: “Sustainability is a big part of not just our new projects, but all of San Miguel’s operations.
“We have been very proactive in instituting social and environmental initiatives in our future project sites, long before any construction is done.
“These programs are part of our holistic approach to improving the lives of those who will be our future host communities and partners.”
Aside from infrastructure, one of SMC’s noteworthy programs is aimed at environment protection.
One of SMC’s advocacies is the “Better Rivers PH” which involves clean-up of polluted and heavily silted rivers in the country.
Rivers in Bulacan like the Taliptip-Maycapiz-Bambang, Meycauayan, Marilao, Mailad-Sta. Maria, Guiguinto, Balagtas, Pamarawan, Kalero, and Labangan-Angat Rivers; and the Tullahan, Pasig, and San Juan rivers in Metro Manila are among the beneficiaries of SMC’s river clean-up initiative.
SMC has reforestation programs and actively supports the Million Trees Foundation, Inc. (MTFI) in the latter’s aim at rehabilitating critical watersheds.
The MTFI has honored SMC subsidiary Luzon Water Development Corporation (LWDC) with the Champion of Trees award and RSA with the Kampeon Ng Tubig Kanlungan award during the 2024 Annual Million Trees Challenge (AMTC) 2024 Recognition and Pledging Session last July.
Also noteworthy is SMC’s projects to promote the well-being of the communities where its businesses are located.
It is committed to help improve access to quality education.
In Batangas, site of SMC projects such as a cement plant, food manufacturing complex, power facility, and expressways, SMC recently turned over to the local government of Calatagan a four-storey, 16-classroom building in the Calatagan National High School 2.0.
During the inauguration, RSA committed to building at least two more schools in Calatagan to further address classroom shortage.
Meanwhile, in Valenzuela City, SMC donated land to the city government of Valenzuela for use in the expansion of the Gen. Tiburcio de Leon National High School to mitigate overcrowding.
In prior years, SMC rolled out the SMC Educational Assistance program that benefited students around communities in Bulacan, Quezon, Batangas, and General Santos City.
SMC also established the Better World Community Centers, the largest of which is the Better World Smokey Mountain.
Better World Tondo and Better World Smokey Mountain provide access to resources and services to poor families.
At the centers, children can avail of classes in music, dance and arts and those struggling with basic reading and math are tutored.
Skills trainings are also offered to make residents in the communities employable and provide them with alternative livelihood and source of income.
As SMC celebrates its anniversary, RSA expressed his gratitude for the support from the Filipino people.
He reiterated SMC’s commitment to help build a better Philippines.
“As we continue to grow, so does our commitment to building a better Philippines for everyone.”
We look forward to more years of success for SMC.
The author is an environmentalist, book writer and publisher. He is president of Million Trees Foundation, Inc.
