Housing czar Jose Rizalino Acuzar is eyeing the full economic potential of the Pasig River, including tourism and transportation projects, in the conduct of its rehabilitation based on the order of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. 

The President’s Executive Order 35, which primarily calls for full rehabilitation of Pasig River waterways, paved the way for the creation of the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD).

The IAC-PRUD was primarily tasked to facilitate and ensure the full rehabilitation of the banks along the Pasig River water system and nearby water systems in order to provide alternative transportation, propel economic opportunities, and boost tourism activities.

“The issuance of Executive Order 35 is like hitting many birds with one stone. It will trigger huge positive impacts to several sectors like housing, transportation and even tourism. The rehabilitation of Pasig River could serve as a catalyst for economic opportunities along its banks from Manila to Pasig," said Acuzar.

“The end view is to realize its full potential for mixed-use development, transportation, recreation, tourism and sustainable human settlement, taking into consideration its historic and cultural value,” he added.

The EO 35 authorizes the Council to “accept grants, contributions, donations, endowments, bequests, or gifts in cash or in kind from local and foreign sources in support of the formulation and implementation of the Pasig River Urban Development Plan, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

Blueprint

Acuzar, who is the chairman of the IAC-PRUD, said he has already coordinated with other member-agencies to discuss initial plans on how to implement EO35, adding that they are now also preparing for the formulation of the Pasig River Urban Development Plan which shall serve as the blueprint for the full rehabilitation of the major river system in Metro Manila.

Acuzar said the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), which he heads, has already laid out initial plans covering pilot areas along the portions of Pasig River in Manila in coordination with some of the IAC-PRUD member-agencies like MMDA, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

Other members of the IAC-PRUD include the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Tourism, Department of Transportation, Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management.

The National Housing Authority will serve as the secretariat.

The case of ISFs

Acuzar said that while EO 35 primarily calls for full rehabilitation of Pasig River waterways, its implementation will also secure the safety of thousands of Informal Settler Families (ISFs) living along the riverbanks.

He said this was stipulated in the EO 35 which states that the IAC-PRUD was also ordered to “study, prepare and implement a comprehensive shelter plan for massive relocation of informal settler families and other unauthorized or unlawful occupants along the Pasig River banks, including identification of suitable relocation sites; strategies for economic and social integration for ISFs, and long-term solutions to address ongoing migration into the Pasig River banks.

“We will surely address issues like safe and decent housing for ISFs,” said Acuzar.