Japan shipping giant pledges $1.5 million to help in SMC’s river rehab program

MANILA, Philippines — A Japanese shipping company is providing $1.5 million (P75.6 million) to help diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) rehabilitate the Pasig and Tullahan-Tinajeros River systems.

Tokyo-based shipping firm Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) has joined SMC in the rehabilitation of the waterways considered to be among the world’s biggest contributors to ocean pollution.

NYK will donate $1.5 million over a five-year period to buy additional equipment needed for the project.

NYK’s donation will be coursed through the San Miguel Foundation and will go to the acquisition of additional equipment to be used for targeted river dredging and clean-up operations.

The firm said protecting the marine environment is part of its mandate and it targets to become a sustainable business entity.

NYK is one of Japan’s largest shipping firms, with operations in liner trade, air cargo transportation, logistics, bulk shipping, and real estate. Some 70 percent of its seafarers are Filipino.

To recall, SMC has allocated P1 billion for the clean-up of the 27-kilometer Tullahan-Tinajeros River.

Since June 2020, it has already removed 533,498 metric tons of silt and solid waste from an 11-kilometer stretch spanning the river’s sections in Navotas, at the mouth of Manila Bay, to Malabon, and Valenzuela.

“Our goal is to deepen and, where necessary, widen the Tullahan River, so it can take in more excess water coming from the La Mesa Dam, especially during heavy rainfall, and help minimize and mitigate flooding in Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela – all known to be flood prone areas,” SMC president Ramon Ang said.

Meanwhile, SMC has committed P2 billion for the Pasig River rehabilitation, which officially began last July. So far, it has removed over 100,000 MT of waste from its two pilot areas, along Pandacan and near the Malacanang Palace.

The project aims to remove up to three million MT of silt and solid waste from the river, to channel more floodwaters and alleviate flooding not only in Metro Manila, but in Laguna as well.