DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar inspects the construction site project for Pasig River rehabilitation near the walled city of Intramuros in Manila which is aimed at transforming a portion of the area into a world-class tourist spot. (photo: DHSUD)

The goal of turning the riverbanks of Pasig River into an Instagrammable tourist spot is on the right track as the national government has started the expansion of the showcase area at the back of the Manila Central Post Office, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said on Monday. Feb. 26.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, who was tapped to lead the multi-agency Pasig River rehabilitation, said the expansion works are now targeting the inclusion of the world-renowned walled city of Intramuros.

“The next stage of the nine-phase rehabilitation project now stretches to the Intramuros area which. This will further boost tourism for the nation’s capital,” said Acuzar.

The 500-meter showcase area at the back of the Manila Central Post Office was completed on Jan. 17 as part of the “Pasig Bigyan Buhay Muli” (PBBM), which is the pet project of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

Hundreds of people regularly flocked to the rehabilitated area at the back of the Manila Central Post Office since it was opened to the public last month.

Showcase area of Pasig River rehabilitation project at the back of the Manila Central Post Office. (photo: DHSUD)

Acuzar said the same level of excitement and pride is what they are now pursuing with the expansion of the project to Intramuros which is popular to both local and international tourists for its Spanish-era landmarks, centuries-old churches, horse-drawn carriages and cobblestone streets.

“The ongoing works will interconnect the showcase area, which has been drawing huge crowds since its opening, to the old walled city either through the transition bridge and walkway ramp,” said Acuzar who recently inspected construction works.

“Once this is completed, we are planning to set up commercial shops that will also provide job opportunities to our kababayan,” he added.

Apart from boosting tourism and maximizing the economic potentials of Pasig River, Acuzar said the PBBM Project also aims to promote transportation interconnectivity in Metro Manila as the waterway traverses several major cities across the capital region.

The project also envisions transforming the 25-kilometer stretch of the river into a people-centered and community-driven park with walk paths and bike lanes.

When completed, it would provide the public a seamless travel on foot or two wheels from Manila Bay to Laguna de Bay.

The revitalization project stemmed from Executive Order No. 35, issued by the President in July 2023 that created the IAC-PRUD tasked to “transform Pasig River back into historically pristine condition conducive to transport, recreation and tourism.” The showcase area was completed and opened to the public six months after the issuance of the Chief Executive’s order.

The project has an estimated completion timeline of three to five years and will be solely funded through donations from the private sector.

Overall, the revitalization project aims to capitalize on the full potential of the Pasig River and bring it to the level of other major waterways in the world such as the Thames River in London, the Chao Phraya in Bangkok and the Seine River in Paris.