A welcome dev’t
DON’T look now, but foreign private groups are now working in unison with government authorities in rehabilitating the ancient and historic Pasig River.
Despite government efforts to “bring back to life” the 27-kilometer waterway, which runs through Metropolitan Manila, Pasig River “remains polluted.”
Residents living along the river and passersby still throw their garbage, including plastic materials, into the waterway.
Last Wednesday, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed two memoranda of understanding (MOU) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Under the first MOU, Clean Rivers, a private organization, donated $20 million for the Pasig River rehabilitation program.
Clean Rivers is a non-profit organization under the patronage of UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The second MOU, on the other hand, calls for the improvement of the institutional capacities of both governments.
Reports said the two MOUs were inked on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit (WGS) in Dubai.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos announced the signing of the MOUs in her eight-minute speech during the summit.
The First Lady said that two years ago, her husband (President Marcos) formed a body to “bring our river back to life.”
With the help of friends, like UAE, the Philippines is hopeful of restoring Pasig River to its historically pristine condition.
