THE Pasig River rehabilitation and preservation has been a priority of administrations past, yet all the new Presidents who came to the Palace where the river runs through failed in their avowed “priority” environmental advocacy.
Nobody can argue against this sweeping statement because had the Presidents from Marcos Sr. to Marcos Jr. succeeded in making the Pasig River rise from its ecological degradation, Bongbong Marcos would have no need to rehabilitate this body of water.
If we trace the origin of the water that flows from the river’s tributaries, it will take us to springs and watersheds in the upper reaches of the Sierra Madre mountain in the provinces of Bulacan and Rizal, down to Marikina and Antipolo. The Laguna de Bay acts as a huge natural receptacle for some of the water, but the bulk snakes through the cities of Pasig, Mandaluyong, Makati, and Manila towards Manila Bay. From the clear springs of the mountain area to the commercial district of Binondo, the Pasig River’s long journey to the bay is marred with nature- and man-made contamination and pollutants from homes, poultry and hog farms, factories, restaurants, markets, and business establishments. By the time the water reaches Malacañang, it has turned turbid and brownish green, eliciting embarrassment to high officials and goading them to act.
‘We hope this succeeds this time, or the next President of the republic will have to launch a similar program…’
Last Sunday, President Marcos inaugurated Phase 1C of the Pasig River Urban Development Showcase Area at Plaza Mexico in Intramuros, Manila. He introduced to the public the new attraction in the 25-kilometer development project, which is part of the ongoing “Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli” project.
Marcos said he envisions the famed waterway to become one the world’s famous places for rest and recreation and the pride of Filipinos.
“After decades of neglect, let us witness the revitalization of our beloved Pasig River. A river that will look and feel like the famous waterways across the world, and that we see the Seine in Paris, the Thames in London, the Chao Phraya in Bangkok,” Marcos said. Pasig River, he said, “reflects the unyielding resolve and bayanihan (cooperation) spirit of the Filipinos.”
The initial project is a one-story structure with a roof deck along the Pasig River, featuring a three-meter-wide walkway flanked by leasable commercial spaces at the ground level and a combination of a walkway, bike lane and viewing area on the roof deck. It will encompass over 30 commercial stalls equipped with modern amenities, including sewage treatment, individual electric and water meters, fire protection and public restrooms. The structures will use renewable energy and promote other ecological practices aligned with the environmental protection and conservation strategies of the government.
Marcos called on the project implementers and stakeholders to “sustain the cleanliness, beauty, and security of the esplanade” and urged the public to join the advocacy and contribute, in whatever way possible, to bring back the old glory of Pasig River.
As enunciated by the Chief Executive, his administration has grand and noble plans for the rehabilitation and development of the Pasig River as an environmental and tourism gem, a worthy legacy for the next generation of Filipinos to enjoy and cherish.
We hope this succeeds this time, or the next President of the republic will have to launch a similar program – not the Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli program which is a frivolous play on President Bongbong’s initials, but something similarly “creative” to pander to the next ruler’s ego.
