The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development unveiled a plan Wednesday to develop the Pasig River and nearby areas, which would include the river’s rehabilitation and housing for informal settlers.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said the project involves improving the drainage, establishing people’s parks, creating commercial hubs, and extending these developments to the Laguna de Bay and Manila Bay.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. formed last month an inter-agency council to rehabilitate and develop the Pasig River and nearby water systems.
Acuzar hopes the project would boost tourism in Metro Manila, where nearly 13 million live.
Acuzar told a public briefing: “This does not focus on just housing or just the inlets. You cannot do this in installments. The life of Pasig River is connected to the Laguna de Bay, the Manila Bay, and the inlets. There are many informal settlers there, so the new program we are launching is complete.”
First Lady Liza Marcos attended the meeting with the DHSUD and said she would support the project, Acuzar said.
Acuzar said: “This will happen and not remain as mere talk; this won’t remain a drawing. Our First Lady and the President have given assurances this project will be a reality.”
The housing chief said they have yet to finalize the budget for the plan but noted it was in the final stages of development.
A timeline for the project was so far unclear as they were still in the planning period, he added.
He added: “We will do a showcase for what will happen to the Pasig River. The challenge here is the funding because we will study that. We will talk to all possible fund sources, including the private sector and Congress.”
The DHSUD is coordinating with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to preserve the culture and history of the areas involved in the project.
He added: “We will connect with Chinatown. That can be used for food tourism. We will also do a development, settled parts. We can put up art installations there.