PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday urged everyone to support the government’s efforts not just to clean and rehabilitate the Pasig River but also to “stop it from being a petri dish of toxins and make it instead an incubator of progress and best environmental practices.”
During the inauguration of the 500-meter showcase area under phase one of the “Pasig Bigyan Buhay Muli” (PBBM) project in Manila, the President said changes will not happen overnight, adding the clean-up drive and rehabilitation program is not merely for cosmetics as it aims to transform the river into a center of economic activity, tourism and promote transportation connectivity in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces.
Marcos likened the 25-kilometer stretch of the Pasig River, which traverses 11 cities in Metro Manila, to the Philippines which he said both contain much untapped potential.
“A living river of multiple benefits for the multitude, featuring safe walkways and bikeways along its banks, a green corridor that will serve as lungs for our city’s needs, a string of parks for communities nearby. Along the 25-kilometer stretch will judiciously sprout commercial enterprises, run by the best stewards and strongest stakeholders of the river’s development– the people themselves,” he said.
“We envision civic spaces where our children will play, our seniors will relax, families will exercise, artists can showcase their talents, and the creative can display their wares. We want it to be a permanent exhibit area of green technology that works–from solar lights to rain harvesting facilities–sustainable practices like urban gardens,” he added.
The President said the government will also maximize the “ready-to-use but underutilized maritime highway” by deploying more ferry boats and stations that can accommodate many commuters.
Under the PBBM project, the government envisions Pasig River to play a significant role in economic development activities in the metropolis, just like waterways in other major cities in the world, like the Thames River in London, the Chao Phraya in Bangkok and the Seine River in Paris.
It will give rise to mixed-use establishments along the river banks from Manila to Pasig City and include recreational and wellness amenities such as public parks and jogging and bike paths will also be constructed in key areas.
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary and concurrent Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD) chairman Jose Rizalino Azucar said the project is in line with Executive Order (E.O.) No. 35 was issued in July 2023 and aims to revitalize the Pasig River for improved transport, recreation and tourism.
First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos has expressed her full support to the project.
Azucar expects the project will be completed in two to three years and cost about P18 billion.
He said many private companies have donated to the project, which resulted in the inauguration of the first phase of the PBBM project or the 500-meter showcase area located behind the Manila Central Post Office building.
The showcase area will serve as a public park consisting of a pedestrian-friendly walkway on a concrete platform equipped with water fountains accented by lighting, and sitting areas which can also serve as an open-air venue for events.
Acuzar said some 5,000 and 10,000 informal settler families may be displaced as a result of the project but the government is providing relocation areas for those affected.
He said around 6,000 housing units would be available in relocation sites in Port Area, Manila and in Rizal.
He said the clearing of the areas occupied by the informal settlers has started.
