President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has constituted the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development as part of the administration's response to the urgent need to rehabilitate and enhance the quality of life along the banks of Pasig River.

Pasig River (Argyll Geducos)

Marcos made the move via Executive Order (EO) No. 35, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on July 25.

In issuing the order, President Marcos highlighted the Pasig River's significance in trade and tourism.

"The Pasig River holds immense historical and cultural significance as a vital waterway which facilitates trade, transportation, and communication, and serves as a prominent landmark and tourist attraction," he said.

"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," he added.

Based on the four-page EO, the Inter-Agency Council will be responsible for facilitating and ensuring the complete rehabilitation of the banks along the Pasig River and nearby water systems.

The Council will be chaired by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary and vice-chaired by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman.

Its members come from 13 other agencies:

1. Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
2. Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
3. Secretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
4. Secretary, Department of Department of Tourism (DOT)
5. Secretary, Department of Transportation (DOTr)
6. Secretary, Department of Finance (DOF)
7. Secretary, Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
8. Chairperson, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)
9. Chairperson, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
10. General Manager, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)
11. Commandant, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
12. General Manager, Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA)
13. Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA)
    
    

The National Housing Authority (NHA) shall serve as the Secretariat of the Council and is tasked to provide administrative support to its member agencies.

According to the President, the convergence of concerned national government agencies was necessary to synchronize and strengthen inter-agency efforts to accelerate the implementation of policies, programs, and projects that would improve the water quality, restore marine life, and develop the Pasig River's banks, tributaries, and surrounding communities.

Aside from facilitating and ensuring the full rehabilitation of the Pasig River, the Council must formulate a Pasig River Urban Development Plan. The Council shall implement a coordinated and integrated rehabilitation of the Pasig Riverbanks and nearby water systems.

It is also tasked to ensure that easements provided under the Civil Code of the Philippines and other relevant laws are followed. It must study, prepare, and implement a comprehensive shelter plan for the relocation of informal settlers and accept grants or any assistance from local and foreign sources subject to existing laws.

The Council is also directed to work closely with the national government agencies and local government units to review existing Presidential issuances related to the Pasig River's rehabilitation and development. It is likewise tasked to recommend their repeal or amendment to the Office of the President.

The Council is also directed to submit a quarterly report on implementing the EO.