“Alam niyo ang namatay na sa Coronavirus sa Pilipinas, ilan? Sample lang, 1000. Eh yung mamatay sa gutom, baka daang-libo ‘yan pag hindi mabalik ang economy at confidence ng taong-bayan,” said Ang in a speech during the opening of San Miguel Corp.’s massive COVID testing facility.
Ang had previously backed President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to extend an enhanced community quarantine in mid-March which was extended from one month to three months to contain the virus, noting that protecting lives were more important than the economy. With Duterte easing the lockdown, Ang said to was time to focus on the economic recession as doctors and frontliners have gained more experience in fighting COVID, health service capacity has improved, and majority of the public have become more aware of social distancing and disinfection.
The San Miguel president and COO announced the company would pursue its major projects such as 12 one-million-tons-a-year feed mills, new breweries in Cagayan de Oro and Sta. Rosa in Laguna, expansion of Masinloc power plant, expansion of poultry farms, completion of toll ways and railways (Skyway 3, Skyway Extension, Skyway 4, Metro Rail Transit Line 7 and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway), and the Bulacan airport.
“Bakit ko tinutuloy ang mga major projects? Sabi ng iba, niririsk ko ang San Miguel dahil yung pandemic baka tumagal pa. Sabi ko sakanila, pag hindi ko tinuloy ang mga major projects, katulad ng infrastructure projects na tollway na magcoconnect sa Buendia at Balintawak, magttraffic lagi sa EDSA, baka doon pa sila magkahawaan ng sakit,” said Ang.
“Ang alam ko, if you invest, it creates jobs and that is what the people need. Yung iba, mga kwentong kutsero lang, hindi naman totoong tumutulong. Ang importante, tayong lahat, manatili tayong magtrust sa gobyerno. Mas importante na tayong lahat mag-work together, bilisan na at ng maarrest natin itong problema, para makapagtrabaho na ang mga kababayan natin,” he added.