Showcasing a people-centered urban space along Pasig River
The Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli project redefines the relationship between dynamic city centers and the Pasig River as part of a dynamic urban landscape
Published Jan 30, 2026 02:32 pm
The Pasig River Esplanade—the flagship project of the Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli (PBBM) initiative—has recently reached a major milestone with over 1.9 kilometers of continuous riverside walkways now open to the public. With walkways, bike lanes, and solar-powered lighting, the spot has become a popular spot for visitors for leisure walks, sightseeing, and photography.
The esplanade is envisioned as a people-centered urban space that promotes cultural activities, tourism, and small businesses while contributing to the long-term restoration of the Pasig River.
From the completion of its initial phases, First Lady Liza Marcos and the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD) are focusing efforts to improve visitors’ experience. Improvements will be centered on creating a public space that balances livelihood opportunities with accessibility, public safety and order, and attractions catering to residents and visitors.
Inaugurated on January 17, 2024, the Pasig River Esplanade, the neoclassical showcase area in front of the Manila Central Post Office, is part of the administration’s broader efforts to rehabilitate and revitalize the historic waterway and transform the riverside into a viable public and tourism space.
The IAC-PRUD was officially created by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. through Executive Order No. 35, signed on July 25, 2023, to oversee the comprehensive rehabilitation and development of the Pasig River system, aiming for improved urban quality of life and connectivity. Followed by the formal launch of the PBBM project on August 24. Through Executive Order 92, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Pasig River Rehabilitation (OPAPRR) was created to ensure the continuity of the project in coordination with the IAC-PRUD.
The council formulated the Pasig River Urban Development Plan that covers the restoration efforts at the Pasig River and its vital water systems. In collaboration with WTA Architecture and Design Studio and PGAA Creative Design, the plan primarily proposes the mixed-use developments along the 25-kilometer stretch of the riverbank from Manila Bay to Laguna de Bay.
According to the statement from the WTA website, the project “envisions a holistic and sustainable riverfront for the Pasig River that can serve as a driver for economic growth and development.”
“The collaborative master plan embraces the entirety of the river from Laguna Lake to Manila Bay, including its various tributaries. It creates a vital piece of social infrastructure along the entire length of the Pasig that serves as an open and free socio-cultural hub that connects communities. Across nine segments that highlight the various component cities along the river, the project supports an urbanism that puts focus on our communities and the human environment.”
The project will introduce alternative transportation options and enhance the river’s water quality to lessen traffic congestion and pollution. By revitalizing the Pasig River, the project seeks to restore its historical and cultural significance while fostering opportunities for nearby communities.
From his interviews, Paulo Alcazaren, landscape architect, urban designer, and consultant for this project, said the transport systems feature active mobility involving walking and biking, as well as ferries to and from relocated and redesigned stations. The plan also proposes pedestrian bridges for improved accessibility.
In October 2025, Manila Bulletin reported that the Marcos flagship initiative bagging international recognition for its outstanding contribution to sustainable urban development and cultural preservation. The United Nations formally presented the 2025 Asian Townscape Award to the PBBM project on November 27, 2025.
As an advocate of sustainable living that relies on effective and well-designed public spaces, Manila Bulletin has been at the forefront of covering such developments, such as the PBMM project, that foster healthier, more resilient, and equitable cities. The newspaper giant is committed to highlighting the evolution of the country’s public spaces that move toward better community interaction and spirit, enhance mobility and livability, and ultimately, build a national identity.
The next phase of the project will soon be announced in line with the project’s scheduled completion in 2028, and for certain, Manila Bulletin will be there to share the proud moment with its readers.