PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos are set to inaugurate today, Monday, the third phase of the Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli (PBBM) Project which features an esplanade and a 305-meter Fort Santiago Riverwalk in Manila.
“Mark your calendars – February 17! Let’s gather together, take a stroll and fall in love with the Pasig River all over again,” the First Lady initially announced last February 8 through her Instagram account after the February 6 meeting of the Agency Council for the Pasig Rover Urban Development.
Phase 3 of the PBBM project covers Plaza Mexico, the Maestranza Esplanade and the Fort Santiago Riverwalk which Araneta-Marcos said is “coming to life, ready to welcome everyone with open arms.”
The area is expected to serve as a major draw for visitors, providing a scenic and convenient link between the historic citadel of Fort Santiago and the revitalized Pasig River Esplanade.
Phase 1A and 1B of the project were inaugurated in January 2024 and Phase 1C in June last year, with the President saying the rehabilitation of the Pasig River would be people-centered and community-driven.
It aims to transform the Pasig River into a center of economic activity, tourism, and transportation connectivity in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces.
The project includes a 500-meter showcase area comprising a public park with a pedestrian-friendly walkway on a concrete platform, water fountains accented by lighting, sitting areas that can serve as an open-air venue for events, and the 250-meter commercial walkway connecting MacArthur Bridge and Jones Bridge in Manila.
