Rehabilitation of the Pasig River
[1] After World War II (WWII), the rich began to move away from the shores of the Pasig and many factories took their place.
These people adventured to Manila to find better jobs and lives; but without opportunities became compelled to settle in shanty towns where the river becomes a lifeline as they cause environmental problems.
Houses mostly built on stilts above the river become vulnerable during the rainy season floods, and scrap materials mostly from recycled wood are prone to fires.
Resistance to halt evictions of habitations exceedimg the 3m easement created by law along the shores of the river and tributaries are common cases.
A number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have responded by working with the urban poor to provide help during the rehabilitation of the Pasig.
The Asian Development Bank gave the government of the Philippines a loan of $200 million to implement a 15-year slum upgrade program for Metro Manila which includes the rehabilitation of the Pasig River.
Because the majority of the people living on the edges of the river are illegal squatters, it is very difficult to monitor the amount of garbage or waste — or to treat either of them.
Philippine law states that the government has the legal right to relocate the people in these illegal settlements to 3 m away from the shore of the river.
He is referring to having some sort of assisted transportation for these urban poor so that they can live in the suburbs and work every day in Manila.
[6] The people in Barangay Pineda were awarded the right to purchase the land they were on at a subsidized rate and the government implemented sewage facilities, better drainage, and roads to ensure that the river stayed clean.
The 500-metre (1,600 ft) embankment behind the Manila Central Post Office features the promenade which will be 25 kilometres (16 mi) long on each side of the Pasig River.
[8][9] In June, 2024, Marcos Jr. officially opened the Eplanade's Pasig River Urban Development Showcase Area (PRUDP), Phase 2 1C, a 250-meter stretch that connects Jones Bridge to Plaza Mexico at Magallanes Drive.
Located behind the Manila Central Post Office, it features a 250 meters by three-meter wide boardwalk with a roof deck and bike lane from Plaza Mexico to Fort Santiago.
Local fisherman were able to take their day's catch directly from the ocean down the Pasig River to Estero de Paco, which is one of its largest tributaries.
This provided the ability for many locals to gain their livelihoods from the clean waters of the Estero de Paco and Pasig River.
As happened with the Pasig River and the rest of its tributaries, squatters moved to the sides of the Estero de Paco, further deteriorating the water quality.
Coco Coir has been mixed with a helpful bacteria to decompose garbage left in the estero and to treat the waste water and sludge.
The last two attempts to bring in a ferry service were cut short due to too much garbage, shanty towns, and foul odors.
It was the longest-lasting ferry service down the Pasig in recent years and had the longest route, with 14 stations lining the major hubs on the river.
With fares ranging from P25 to P60 per trip[11] and travel times cut in half for many, the ferry allowed many people to skip the congested streets of Manila.
With less garbage, less foul odors, fewer shanty towns, and more environmental initiatives being implemented, river tours were being conducted by SCC Nautical Transport Services Inc.
These areas will also allow river transportation as well as boats bringing amenities to the city, including the local markets.
