The Pasig River Ferry System has partially reopened following a week-long clearing operation and the hauling of 770 cubic meters of water hyacinths along the river.
According to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chief information officer Sharon Gentalian, the ferry service resumed operations on Thursday but for short distance travels only.
“The PRFS will operate short-distance trips from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig to Santa Ana in Manila,” she said.
The MMDA regularly clears the river of water hyacinths and other waste.
Gentalian said from July to September, the agency’s clearing operation unit was able to haul 7,235 cubic meters of water hyacinths along the 27-kilometer river. She said the recent clearing operations from Oct. 1 to 6 resulted in the hauling of 770 cubic meters of water hyacinths.
MMDA spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Pircelyn Pialago said the MMDA has already procured a harvester for water hyacinths, but the delivery was delayed because of the pandemic.
“The one we procured was being manufactured in Canada and is scheduled to be delivered at the end of November or the first week December,” she said.
On Saturday, the MMDA suspended the ferry operation due to the carpet of water lilies and other aquatic plants clogging the river.
The water lilies entangle the ferry’s propeller, preventing the boat from traveling at normal speed. The propellers have to be elevated so that the tangled water lilies and even pieces of trash could be removed.
The ferry serves authorized persons outside residence, health workers and government employees who need to report for work free of charge from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., while the general community quarantine status is being enforced in the National Capital Region.