THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is set to establish a linear park along the San Juan River easement in Barangay Batis to improve solid waste management practices and reduce garbage being thrown into waterways and drainage areas in the city.
The park will house greeneries, material recovery equipment, rain harvesting facilities, and sewage treatment plants, with the help of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
A jogging path, walkway, and bikeway will also be set up in the park.
“With the low water quality due to the high liquid and solid waste present due to the informal settlements present along the easement, the MMDA aims to upgrade the easement of waterways to protect the geological formation of the river bank, ensure proper solid waste management in the area, and encourage social activities that are more beneficial to the community,” said MMDA chairman Romando Artes.
He said the river easement will serve as a showcase area for President Marcos’ Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program and the Pasig River Urban Development Project, with housing for informal settler families on the site.
Rehabilitation and beautification of tributaries connected to the Pasig River will also be undertaken, aiming to revive Metro Manila’s main waterway.
The rehabilitation initiatives for the San Juan River will stem through Manila and Quezon City, marking the start of the beautification of the environment and the whole metropolis.
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora thanked the MMDA for the project aimed at cleaning up and improving Pasig River banks and its tributaries.
“We are very excited to partner in another beautification project with the MMDA, especially one that will greatly improve the way our linear park looks. We also wanted to create more open spaces for San Juaneños and in turn, educate them in caring for the environment,” he said.