Call for Environmental Consideration SMC’s Infrastructure Projects Under Scrutiny

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) faces pressure from environmental advocates to cancel its Pasig River Expressway (PAREx) project and reconsider other infrastructure plans. The advocacy group Ilog Pasiglahin urged the conglomerate to formally abandon the PAREx project by revoking its toll operations agreement and withdrawing permit applications. Despite SMC’s announcement to halt the PAREx project due to public concerns, formal steps toward cancellation have yet to be communicated.

Critics emphasize the environmental and cultural significance of the Pasig River, highlighting potential adverse impacts of the proposed 19.37-kilometer elevated tollway. Concerns extend to SMC’s other projects, including parts of the South East Metro Manila Expressway (Semme) and the Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEX), which are feared to compromise the ecological integrity of Pasig River and surrounding areas.

This situation underscores the broader debate on balancing infrastructure development with environmental conservation, urging corporate giants like SMC to prioritize sustainable and culturally sensitive practices in their future projects.