MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) yesterday vowed to sustain efforts to revive the Pasig River amid positive response to the Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli project of the Marcos administration.
“Our effort to revive Pasig River is not only about rehabilitation, but about preserving our history and culture for the next generation,” DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said in a statement.
“We are grateful for the all-out support of President Marcos and First Lady Liza Marcos for the project. You can count on us to continue working hard to restore the beauty and vitality of the Pasig River,” Acuzar added.
Last week, Marcos inaugurated the project’s third phase, which seeks design improvements for the riverfront.
The project aims to transform the 25-kilometer river into a people-centered and community-driven park with walk paths and bicycle lanes.
When completed, it will provide the public seamless travel either on foot or bicyles, from Manila Bay to Laguna de Bay.
It also seeks to strengthen connectivity between cultural landmarks such as Intramuros, Manila Central Post Office and Binondo, enriching Manila’s heritage experience.
The Pasig River Showcase Area Esplanade behind the Manila post office and its extension to Plaza Mexico were inaugurated last year.
In July 2023, the President issued Executive Order No. 35, which created the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development, tasked to “transform the river back into its pristine condition conducive to transport, recreation and tourism.”
The project has an estimated completion timeline of three to five years and will be funded through donations from the private sector.