By Brian Jules Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday led the inauguration of the showcase area in Binondo, Manila of the “Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli: Pasig River Urban Development” project.
As part of the government’s efforts in bringing back the river’s old glory, Marcos reminded the public that the development project will be “people-centered and community-driven” as it aims to transform the waterway into a “living river”.
The President said the project envisions the Pasig River banks to feature safe walkways and bikeways, green corridors, and several community parks.
“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,” the chief executive said.
“We envision civic spaces where our children will play, our seniors relax, families will exercise, artists can showcase their talents, and the creative can display their wares,” he added.
There are also plans to turn the river into a “permanent exhibit” of green technology with solar lights, rain harvesting facilities, or urban gardens.
The President said that the maritime highways of Pasig River will be maximized through deployment of additional ferry boats and establishing more stations that are expected to invite more riders to patronize the transport system.
However, the project will not be “cosmetic in nature,” since cleanup drives and relocation of the poor and vulnerable people living along the river banks will still continue.
“As the threat of climate change looms, we must save the poor and vulnerable living along its banks from the ravages of frequent and fiercer typhoons by transferring them to better homes they deserve,” Marcos added.
The Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD) is tasked to relocate informal settler families from the river banks through the help of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
The President also assured the public that the Pasig River project is not just out of “ningas cogon” mindset and will be “pursued relentlessly” with the help of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos to oversee the endeavor.
“So, you do not expect any half-hearted commitments. Not from this President. In everything I do, I am all fully in. Meron din po kasing in-house advocate ang Pasig River sa aming pamilya – ang ating First Lady, a passionate champion of this river’s survival but who has been quietly doing the spadework on this project,” he added.
The local government units (LGUs) having jurisdiction along the Pasig River, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the DHSUD, and the MMDA are instructed to submit reports regarding the progress of the rehabilitation project.
“I want a quarterly and yearly report submitted to my office because I want to see this prototype of redevelopment of Pasig River—right here, right now—produced in sustainable speed and in sustainable focus up to its final and logical conclusion,” Marcos declared. – avds