The Pasig River Ferry Service, a public water bus service based in Metro Manila, is currently the only water-based transportation service in the region being operated by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. (Philippine Information Agency NCR file)

The Pasig River holds a rich historical significance, serving as a vital waterway during the Spanish colonial period and even before. It played a crucial role as a major transportation route for trade and commerce, connecting Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay.

Despite facing challenges such as urbanization, pollution, and neglect, the river remains a testament to the cultural and historical value it holds for the people of Metro Manila.

In the past, the Pasig River served as a bustling mode of transportation for goods and people. Boats and ferries gracefully navigated its waters, facilitating the movement of goods and commuters between different parts of Metro Manila and its surrounding areas. This river was the lifeblood of commerce, where riverside communities engaged in various livelihoods such as fishing, farming, and trade.

Coconut raft, Manila, circa 1900s. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. LC-DIG-ggbain-30479

Though its commercial significance has declined with pollution, urbanization and alternative transport, certain communities still find livelihood opportunities along its banks. Beyond its historical and cultural value, Pasig River plays a critical role in the management of drainage and flood control in Metro Manila.

It acts as a natural waterway, channeling rainwater and excess water during typhoons and heavy rainfall. Proper management and maintenance of the river are essential to prevent flooding in the metropolis, safeguarding the lives and properties of its residents.

Unfortunately, urbanization and industrialization have taken a toll on the water quality of Pasig River over the years. Pollution from untreated sewage, industrial discharges, and solid waste have severely affected the river's ecosystem and aquatic life.

Cleaning and restoring the river have become imperative for environmental and health reasons. Tackling these challenges is a priority, to ensure a healthier river that benefits both the ecosystem and the communities that rely on it.

Malacañan along the Pasig River. José Honorato Lozano, Quinta de los Generales en Malacañan a la rivera del Río Pasig, 1867. Source: Presidential Museum and Library.

As Pasig River continues to face both challenges and potential, efforts are being made to restore its glory and prominence in Metro Manila. Today, efforts are being made to breathe new life into this historical waterway, to restore its former glory and preserve its cultural significance for generations to come. 

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recently formed the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development as part of the government's response to the urgent need to rehabilitate and beautify the Pasig River.

Executive Order (EO) No. 35, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, created the inter-agency council will be responsible for ensuring the full rehabilitation of the riverbanks, along the Pasig River water system and neighboring water systems.

"There is an urgent need to rehabilitate and enhance the quality of life along the banks of the Pasig River, its tributaries, and surrounding communities," it added. The inter-agency council will be chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson will serve as vice-chair. There are 13 member agencies that include DPWH, DENR, DILG, DOT, DOTr, DOF, DBM, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Laguna Lake Development Authority and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.

The council is also tasked with developing the Pasig River Urban Development Plan and implementing a "coordinated and integrated rehabilitation" of the Pasig Riverbanks system and nearby water systems. 

By recognizing its historical significance, improving water quality, and implementing sustainable practices along its banks, we can honor the cultural heritage and ecological importance of this magnificent waterway. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the Pasig River is being reborn, its waters once again teeming with vitality and promise. (PIA-NCR)