THE rehabilitation of Pasig River, by virtue of Executive Order (EO) 35, has the full backing and support of First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos.

In its August 2023 issue, which featured the First Lady, Tatler Asia magazine cited the Pasig River rehabilitation as among her three priority-advocacies, the other two being education and improved access to quality health care.

Tatler Asia stated that the First Lady envisions Pasig River to become a lifestyle and commercial hub and a major tourist attraction when fully rehabilitated.

“As for the river initiative, she (First Lady) hopes that revitalizing the Pasig River will make it an attraction in its own right, in the same way that the Thames or Seine or Bangkok’s Chao Phraya are,” Tatler Asia wrote.

By virtue of EO 35 signed by the President last July 25, the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD) was created with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) as lead.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar welcomed the support of the First Couple as a huge boost to the efforts of IAC-PRUD for the massive rehabilitation of Pasig River which also covers relocation of thousands of informal settler families.

“With the issuance of EO 35 by the President, and the full-backing of the First Lady, lalo pong mapapabilis at mapapaganda ang pagbuhay muli sa Pasig River,” the DHSUD chief said.

Under EO 35, the MMDA will serve as vice chair and the secretaries of DPWH, DENR, DILG, DOT, DoTr, DOF, DBM; the chairpersons of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the NCCA, the general manager of the PPA, commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, the general manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority and the chief executive officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority were tapped as members.

The National Housing Authority will serve as the secretariat.

The IAC-PRUD was primarily tasked to “facilitate and ensure the full rehabilitation of the banks along the Pasig River water system and nearby water systems in order to provide alternative transportation, propel economic opportunities, and boost tourism activities.”

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jun I. Legaspi