AT A time when the global oil crisis is once again threatening to squeeze economies and burden ordinary citizens, a familiar figure has stepped forward with a reassuring message: help is on the way.
The other day, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. underscored the urgency of cushioning the impact of rising fuel prices—an issue that touches every Filipino, from jeepney drivers to small businesses and households.
BBM affirmed the country has ample oil supply until June 2026.
Right on cue, following my previous column calling on taipans to step up anew, SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang, committed his readiness to help stabilize supply chains and mitigate the cascading effects of volatile oil prices.
In a statement, RSA said: “I promise the public that we will not take advantage on this oil crisis. Di kami kikita ng mahigit pa sa normal and I’m even willing to lower the income, bale wala yan sa akin ang income.
“So in short, you have my 100 percent cooperation na tutulungan yung mga kababayan natin.”
It is a timely reminder that in moments of crisis, leadership is not only measured by profit margins, but by the willingness to act for the greater good.
And yet, even as it steps into this national role, SMC is coming off one of its strongest financial performances in history.
The numbers are compelling.
In 2025, SMC posted a net income of ₱94.7 billion, with core net income surging 52 percent to ₱79.6 billion—proof that its strength lies not in one-off gains but in solid, sustained operations.
Revenues reached approximately ₱1.5 trillion, underscoring the scale and reach of its diversified businesses.
This is not accidental success. It is the result of a deliberate and disciplined strategy—one that RSA himself attributes to diversification, sound investments, and execution.
Indeed, diversification has been SMC’s enduring advantage.
When one sector softens—such as oil amid global price volatility—others rise to sustain momentum. Food and beverage provide stability, infrastructure drives long-term growth, and power generation ensures steady returns. It is resilience by design.
But beyond the balance sheet lies a deeper narrative—one that aligns with our continuing search for “silver linings.”
SMC’s story is not just about corporate success; it is about nation-building in action.
From expressways that ease traffic, to power plants that energize industries, to everyday food products that nourish Filipino families, SMC remains deeply woven into the country’s development fabric.
Today, that role extends even further—into buffering the nation against the shocks of a turbulent global energy landscape.
The willingness of RSA to step in during the oil crisis echoes the same spirit we witnessed during the pandemic—when corporate leaders rose beyond their mandates to support national stability.
This is malasakit at scale.
And the world is taking notice.
According to Forbes, SMC has been recognized among the World’s Best Employers, ranking as the highest Philippine company on the list.
This distinction is significant.
It affirms that SMC’s success is not only measured in pesos and centavos, but in how it values its people and contributes to society.
Because in today’s world, the most enduring companies are those that balance profit with purpose.
As we move forward, the challenge for SMC—and for all major institutions—is to sustain this trajectory while adapting to new realities: climate change, digital transformation, and shifting consumer demands.
Here lies another opportunity for leadership.
SMC’s continued investments in sustainability, renewable energy, and environmental initiatives can further define its legacy—not just as a conglomerate, but as a steward of the future.
For organizations like the Million Trees Foundation, this presents a natural synergy. When corporate strength aligns with environmental advocacy, the results can be transformative—stronger watersheds, healthier ecosystems, and more resilient communities.
In the end, SMC’s record run is more than a financial achievement.
It is proof that scale, strategy, and malasakit still matter—especially in times of crisis.
And perhaps that is the clearest silver lining of all:
Even in a world of uncertainty, the Philippines can rise—guided by institutions like SMC that not only succeed, but serve.
(The writer, president/chief executive officer of Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. and president/executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-government outfit advocating tree-planting and environmental protection, is the official biographer of President Fidel V. Ramos.)
