San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has scrapped the plan to build the P95-billion Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) project due to opposition from the public.
Ramon Ang, SMC president and chief executive officer, in a press briefing said the company will not push through with the PAREX project after considering the public opinion.
Several groups have opposed the project due to the possible damage it could cause to the Pasig River and its surrounding communities.
“When I see that our countrymen don’t like it, I will not continue the project. Just like that one,” Ang said in Filipino.
“Because we are also very sensitive. We listen to the pulse of the people. We are not politicians. But that means we are very sensitive to the opinion of the public. If the public thinks that it is not good to the public welfare, we will not do that,” Ang added.
In 2021, SMC secured the green light from the government to start building the country’s first green, hybrid highway, PAREX.
The Supplemental Toll Operation Agreement for the project was signed by the Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and Highways, Toll Regulatory Board, Philippine National Construction Corp. with Pasig River Expressway Corp. and Skyway O&M.
The 19.37-kilometer, six-lane elevated road will run along the banks of the Pasig River – from Radial Road 10 (R-10) in the City of Manila to Circumferential Road 6 (C-6), also known as the future South East Metro Manila Expressway in Taguig.
The project plans to have three major segments: Segment 1 is from R-10 to Plaza Azul, Manila; Segment 2 from Pandacan to C-5; and Segment 3 from C-5 to C-6.
PAREX will also connect to and utilize a 2.7-km portion of the new Skyway Stage 3 from Nagtahan to Plaza Azul.
SMC, through its infrastructure arm, operates major expressways in the country, including Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, Skyway System, NAIA Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, Southern Tagalog Arterial Road and Skyway Stage 3.
