Manila, Aug. 11 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday welcomed San Miguel Corporation (SMC) chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ramon Ang's offer to help address flooding in Metro Manila, saying private sector participation is vital in national development.

Speaking to reporters in Malacanang, Marcos said Ang had previously briefed him on the proposal, which involves desilting waterways in the National Capital Region (NCR).

He noted, however, that the plan would only succeed if local government units (LGUs) addressed the garbage problem that clogs drainage and waterways.

"It simply doesn't work until we have a solution to the garbage problem," Marcos said, citing the waste-to-energy project proposal in the City of Manila as a...