By HENRY EMPEÑO | December 15, 2025

SAN Miguel Corporation (SMC) has disclaimed reports that Dutch dredging firm Boskalis Westminster NV has withdrew from its New Manila International Airport (NMIA) project in Bulacan.

In a statement on Monday, December 15, SMC said land development works for the NMIA project “continue to advance in line with international best practices” and noted that Boskalis continues its engagement with the project, contrary to some reports.

“Some claims circulating online are inaccurate and misleading. These can create unnecessary confusion for the public and concern among stakeholders,” SMC stated.

“Boskalis continues to support the NMIA development and remains engaged with SMC in our technical and advisory role. We are aligned in ensuring that all works meet internationally recognized standards,” it quoted the dredging firm as saying.

Boskalis, which reputedly operates one of the world’s largest dredging fleets, received confirmation from San Miguel Aerocity Inc. (SMAI) for the NMIA project in 2020. The Bulacan land development project, with an estimated value of EUR 1.5 billion, is reportedly the biggest project in Boskalis’ history.

However, reports began to circulate late last year that Boskalis was “no longer active” in the said reclamation work after two and a half years of active dredging because the project was “fundamentally flawed.”

SMC denied these allegations and said these “do not reflect actual progress on the ground.”

The firm also asserted that NMIA’s land development complies with International Finance Corporation (IFC) Environmental and Social Performance Standards that govern project design, monitoring, risk mitigation, and community safeguards.

“These requirements exceed typical local regulations and ensure that all development works meet the highest global standards,” SMC said. “Very few projects in the Philippines operate under this level of environmental and social commitment and compliance.”

The company also said the Bulacan airport project is guided by extensive hydrological studies, independent engineering reviews, and continuous environmental monitoring, alongside long-term flood-mitigation measures for surrounding communities.

It added that SMC also continues river cleanup and rehabilitation efforts across Bulacan and nearby provinces at no cost to government.

“SMC has committed hundreds of billions of pesos to build a major international gateway that will benefit the country for generations,” SMC said. “We remain fully committed to completing this project responsibly and in accordance with global best practices.”

As to questions about the project’s safety and viability, SMC encouraged concerned parties “to raise them through proper channels, where they can be discussed transparently and with access to verified technical information.”

SMC also said it has asked Meta to review social media pages that repeatedly disseminate misleading information about the NMIA project while concealing their identity, in line with the platform’s policies. 

COVER PHOTO: File photo by SMC of the land development operations for the NMIA project in Bulacan.