FIFTY-THREE metric tons of water hyacinth and garbage have been collected on the entire length of the Pasig River by clearing crews of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority from January to May this year.
MMDA chief Romando Artes said agency personnel are using two trash skimmers to collect water hyacinth and garbage materials in the waterway.
“Since January we have collected 151 cubic meters of garbage equivalent to 53 tons along the entire length of Pasig River,” he said.
Artes said the ongoing drive is part of the overall efforts of the government under the “Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli” program to rehabilitate the 25.2-kilometer waterway that connects Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay.
“Under the ‘Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli’ program, we want to ensure the rehabilitation and cleanliness of the Pasig River for transportation, recreation and tourism,” he said.
Artes said cleaning the river of water hyacinth and other garbage will prevent them from fouling the engine and propellers of the ferry boats plying the waterway.
The MMDA operates nine ferry boats along the Pasig River servicing 13 stations in the cities of Pasig, Makati, Mandaluyong and Manila.
