QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- The “Pasig Bigyan Buhay Muli (PBBM)” project, a massive urban development master plan for the integrated rehabilitation of the historic Pasig River has been launched Thursday, August 24.
According to the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD), the plan primarily proposes the mixed-use developments along the 25-kilometer stretch of the riverbank from Manila Bay to Laguna de Bay.
The design envisions the transformation of Pasig River’s tributaries into public open spaces and commercial areas with an end view of creating economic opportunities.
The PBBM project also encapsulates the relocation of the affected informal settler families (ISFs) residing along the said waterway in coordination with concerned national government agencies including the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA).
A total of eight (8) key areas have been initially identified by the IAC-PRUD where people-centered improvements can take place such as the construction of pedestrian-friendly jogging paths and protected bike lanes traversing major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.
The formulation of the Pasig River Urban Development Plan is deemed as the direct outcome of the recently signed Executive Order 35 of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. which constitutes the implementation of holistic restoration efforts at the Pasig River and its vital water systems.
It can be recalled that the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has previously coordinated with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to tackle actionable strategies as the lead agencies of the IAC-PRUD.
Earlier, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos expressed her support for the revitalization initiative aimed at restoring the grandeur of Pasig River.
“With the issuance of EO 35 by the President, and the full-backing of the First Lady, lalo pong mapapabilis at mapapaganda ang pagbuhay muli sa Pasig River. Kasama po ang ibang departamento ng gobyerno sa ilalim ng IAC-PRUD, sisikapin po ng DHSUD na matupad ang bisyon ng ating Pangulo at First Lady (Together with the other government agencies under the IAC-PRUD, the DHSUD will strive to realize the vision of the President and First Lady),” said DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar. (DHSUD/PIA-NCR)
