MR. RAMON ANG, PLEASE DO IT SCIENTIFICALLY

MR. RAMON ANG, PLEASE DO IT SCIENTIFICALLY

It seems that San Miguel Corporation President and CEO Ramon S. Ang is fed up like many of us with the perennial problem of floods in Metro Manila and nearby areas. But unlike the rest of us who can only complain or post on social media, Mr. Ang is no ordinary Filipino—he heads one of the biggest conglomerates in the country, and he is a billionaire, perhaps many times over.

That is why nobody doubts him when he says he will spend his own money—not a single centavo of government funds—for his flood control projects. In fact, he’s already done something similar before. Aside from building tollways and roads across the metropolis, he has also funded river dredging projects.

Nobody has officially measured the full effect of these dredging works, but common sense tells us that deeper rivers mean fewer and shallower floods. That’s simple physics: when water has somewhere to go, it doesn’t spill over as much.

I recall being shocked years ago during my radio program when an MMDA official told me, matter-of-factly, “It floods, because it rains.” Even without an engineering degree, I know why it rains—but it does not automatically follow that when it rains, it must flood.

The real problem is that in many parts of Metro Manila, drainage systems either don’t work or don’t exist at all. The same goes for sewerage systems—if we had them functioning properly, the impact of floods could be lessened.

Now, here’s where I hope Mr. Ang will do something different from the usual political approach. Since his work is independent from local politicians, he can lead by example and base his flood control strategy on science. That means inviting Filipino scientists—both here and abroad—to be part of the solution.

When I was still with the Department of Foreign Affairs as a Foreign Service Officer, I worked to bring home Filipino scientists from overseas. One of them was Dr. Amador Muriel, a world-renowned expert in fluid dynamics—the science of how fluids like water (and even lava) move. This is the kind of expertise we need if we are to deal with complex flooding issues effectively.

Aside from Dr. Muriel, there are hundreds of other Filipino scientists who can contribute. As the founder of the Roster of Scientists, Inventors and Engineers (ROSIE), I can say there’s a ready pool of talent willing to help. We could also tap members of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), with whom I regularly engage in weekly forums under Future Earth Philippines.

Then there’s the DOST’s Balik Scientist Program, where I once served as DFA’s representative. Through this, overseas Filipino experts can be brought back to contribute to national projects.

Flood control isn’t just about dredging rivers or relocating people—it’s also about understanding water flow, pressure, and how urban landscapes affect them. That’s why fluid dynamics should be at the heart of any serious flood mitigation program.

Mr. Ang has already said he will buy land to relocate schools and housing away from flood-prone zones. He will also remove illegal structures along rivers that block waterways. These are practical and necessary steps. But if we combine these with scientifically designed drainage systems, predictive flood modeling, and climate-resilient urban planning, we can turn Metro Manila from a perennial flood victim into a model of resilience.

President Marcos has ordered an audit of government flood control projects, hinting at possible corruption. That’s good—but even without the corruption, many of these projects have been built without adequate scientific input. That’s why they often fail when the next big storm comes.

So, here’s my suggestion: Mr. Ang, proceed with your plan, but let it be guided by the best Filipino minds in hydrology, engineering, and urban planning. Invite them, listen to them, and give them the resources to apply their expertise. Flooding is not just an engineering challenge—it’s also a science challenge.

If we do this right, we could finally prove that flooding in Metro Manila is not an unavoidable curse, but a solvable problem.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

10-04-2025