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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Full use of Pasig River ferry service to ease Metro Manila traffic woes -- DILG chief

Full use of Pasig River ferry service to ease Metro Manila traffic woes -- DILG chief

Published Jan 13, 2024 04:46 am

2 Pasig Ferry stations reopen

The Pasig River ferry service has the potential to ease the traffic congestion problems in Metro Manila if its use as an alternative transport system is fully maximized, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’’ Abalos said on Saturday, Jan. 13.

The DILG noted reports that revealed an upturn of ridership in the Pasig River ferry service in 2023, with 240,000 commuters using it as an alternative mode of transportation.

Abalos urged the riding public to avail the free service offered by the ferry, which currently runs from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City to Escolta in Manila.

“The ferry route was designed to cut the point-to-point travel time to just an hour instead of the usual three hours via land transport mode," the DILG explained.

But Abalos admitted that more work is needed to improve the said ferry service system, especially in the implementation of the Pasig River Urban Development Project.

Following his recent inspection of the Guadalupe-Escolta Pasig River ferry route, Abalos advised the public to either walk or jog if possible from "end to end" of the direction to improve their wellness.

Last year, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order (EO) 35, which created 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 in order to provide alternative transportation, propel economic opportunities, and boost tourism activities.” 

The DILG is one of the 13 member-agencies of the said council chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and vice-chaired by the MMDA chairperson. 

In line with this project, Abalos assured that the recurring problem of illegal garbage and chemical disposal will also be addressed by focusing on projects that maintain the river’s cleanliness. 

 Meanwhile, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Don Artes said that there are existing plans to increase the availability of boats and add more stations along the Pasig-Manila route.

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