PBBM’s EO 35 targets Pasig River rehab, housing for ISFs
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order 35, constituting the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD), is targeting not only to rehabilitate the Pasig River but to maximize its economic potential and address issues like safe and decent housing for informal settler families (ISFs).
Tapped to head IAC-PRUD is Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, who has already coordinated with other member agencies to discuss initial plans on how to implement EO35.
“The issuance of Executive Order 35 is like hitting many birds with one stone. It will trigger huge positive impacts to several sectors like housing, transportation, and even tourism,” Secretary Acuzar said.
“The rehabilitation of Pasig River could serve as a catalyst for economic opportunities along its banks from Manila to Pasig,” he added.
The DHSUD chief stressed that while EO 35 primarily calls for full rehabilitation of Pasig River waterways, its implementation will also secure the safety of thousands of ISFs living along the riverbanks, and promote mixed-use development and tourism that will trigger economic opportunities.
According to Secretary Acuzar, DHSUD has already laid out initial plans covering pilot areas along the portions of Pasig River in Manila in coordination with some of the IAC-PRUD member agencies like MMDA, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
The council was directed to formulate a Pasig River Urban Development Plan which shall serve as the blueprint for the full rehabilitation of the river with the end view of realizing its full potential for mixed-use development, transportation, recreation, tourism, and sustainable human settlement, taking into consideration its historic and cultural value.
