Not just roads but rivers, too

NOT only is San Miguel Corp. (SMC) set to build another road wonder traversing the Pasig River in the conglomerate’s continuing bid to ease traffic in Metro Manila.

No, the infrastructure will not be built over the biggest river in the metropolis.  Instead, both sides of Pasig River will be utilized for the highways that will connect virtually all the SMC expressways built in the big city to finally realize an interconnected urban in the near future.

Complementing the wondrous roads is the dredging of Pasig River, with SMC again coughing out no less than P2 billion for the project and partnering with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), other national government agencies, and Metro Manila mayors, in the five-year plan to resuscitate the long-dead waterway.

The project is the largest ever river rehabilitation project in the country after the ongoing SMC-sponsored P1-billion cleanup of the 27-km Tullahan-Tinajeros River by the Manila Bay.

“There have been many cleanup efforts in the past, and the government has succeeded in some of them,” SMC president Ramon S. Ang said. “But decades of pollution and compounding problems that have rendered the Pasig River biologically dead since the 1990s are too complex to overcome overnight.”

There will always be the usual detractors, but RSA, as always, is undaunted.

“Solid waste in our rivers is a serious issue, not only because it endangers our oceans, marine life, and traditional fishing grounds, but also because they worsen flooding in the city,” he said.

RSA cited a study published by OurWorldinData.org last May from the University of Oxford and UK-based Global Change Data Lab that Pasig River has become the top plastics polluter of oceans in the world.

“Silt and accumulated garbage have made the Pasig River shallow, worsening the flooding situation in Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati and Pasig,” Ang said. “Our goal is to remove wastes and increase Pasig River’s carrying capacity to divert floodwaters to Manila Bay.”

The company is targeting to remove some 50,000 metric tons of waste from the Pasig River per month, or 600,000 metric tons of waste per year, using advanced and specialized equipment under its command.

“We are confident that with the political will of President Rodrigo Duterte and the support of government agencies and other stakeholders, we will be able to bring Pasig River back to life,” RSA said.

He said Pasig River is linked historically to SMC. In 1890, La Fabrica de Cerveza de San Miguel was established along the banks of Pasig River, on Malacañang Street in the San Miguel district of Manila. The original site is now part of Malacañang Palace grounds.

Nice to know.

Toyota Marikina donation

FROM cars to rubber boats.  That’s what Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), through Toyota Marikina, donated last week to the Marikina City government.

On hand to receive the rubber boats and communications equipment for the city’s exclusive use during typhoon response operations are Marikina mayor Marcelino Teodoro, city administrator Janet Obispo and Rescue 167 head Dave David.  Toyota Marikina’s chief Ma. Teresa Cabellon supervised the proceedings.

“We are proud to be your partner in moving Marikina’s people in times of need,” said TMP president Atsuhiro Okamoto.

Previously, TMP donated 30 Vios cars to public hospitals in Metro Manila and Laguna for Covid-19 related programs. Applause.

Most dependable Lexus

HERE’S a glass once more to Lexus models ES and GX for being voted the “Most Dependable Cars” in a recent US survey by J.D. Power.

Now on its 32nd year, the study measures the number of problems original owners experienced from their three-year-old vehicles during the past year. It covers 177 specific vehicular problems grouped into eight categories: audio/communication/entertainment/navigation (ACEN), engine/transmission, exterior, interior, features/controls/displays (FCD), driving experience, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and seats. The lower the score, the higher the vehicle is dependable.

Lexus scored 81 compared to the average of 121.

Specifically, the Lexus ES won in the best Compact Premium Car category while the Lexus GX won in the Midsize Premium SUV bracket. This is the ninth time in 10 years that Lexus has ranked the highest among all car brands entered in the survey.

Jade B. Sison says to learn more, visit lexus.com.ph, Facebook and Instagram @lexusmanila.

PEE STOP Congratulations to “Stay Connected with Honda” grand raffle winner Richie San Jose, who drove home a Honda Brio 1.2 S MT from Honda Cars Bulacan. Honda officials Verna Hiyao, Rex Decena and Redentor Kalalang supervised the awarding ceremonies. Colene Jalalon says 39 others won prizes: 25 Petron Gas worth P8k each, iPhone, Nintendo switch, iPad Air, 5 Blaupunkt Air Purifiers, 3 Rustan’s GCs worth P5k each and 3 Sodexo GCs worth P2,500 each.  Cheers!

Read full article on BusinessMirror