Pasig River Expressway plan must first ‘harmonize’ with gov’t project

A view of the Pasig River at the Ayala Bridge, which connects the Ermita and San Miguel districts of Manila. (File photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is encountering delays in its controversial Pasig River Expressway (PAREx) as it has to redesign the toll road’s alignment that overlaps with the Pasig River Esplanade, according to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).

TRB Executive Director Alvin Carullo, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a Pasay City event on Thursday, said the board hoped to receive the final design this November, a month later than the original deadline.

“We have to harmonize PAREx and Esplanade,” he said.

The Pasig River Esplanade (PRE) is part of the Pasig River Urban Development Project, a three-year plan to promote the waterway’s use and development, which would include having pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, such as walkways and boardwalks, commercial zones with leasable stalls, bike lanes, and green spaces.

READ: SMC finalizing design for Pasig River Expressway

According to a supplemental toll operation agreement, Carullo said SMC must adjust its tollway alignment should the government implement an infrastructure project that may overlap with it.

The government inaugurated a portion of the 25-kilometer PRE in June. It opened a one-story structure with a roof deck along the river. The public space also has a walkway with leasable commercial spaces and a bike lane.

Environmental concerns

After the submission of the final design, Carullo said the TRB hoped to have the tollway project approved by the first quarter of 2025 for civil works to start.

However, he stressed that SMC must first secure an environmental clearance certificate (ECC) to prove that the project would have no significant adverse impact on the river’s ecosystem.

In applying for an ECC, the conglomerate must present its environmental impact and management plan for the project.

The industry giant earlier drew criticism from advocacy groups who raised concerns over the tollway project’s possible damage to the environment.

In 2022, the Advocates of Science and Technology for the People warned that PAREx could keep sunlight from reaching portions of the waterway and “affect the remaining food chain’’ harbored by the Pasig River.

Tedious process

Another civil society group, Ilog Pasiglahin, said it was critical to protect the Pasig River because of its connection to other bodies of water, including Manila Bay, Laguna de Bay, Marikina River, San Juan River, and Taguig River.

The PAREx project, which was approved by the government in September 2021, is a 19.37-km elevated expressway traversing the banks of the entire Pasig River.

READ: Pasig River expressway opposed

The six-lane road will run from Radial Road 10 in Manila to the proposed South East Metro Manila Expressway at Circumferential Road 6 in Taguig City.

Amid the objections from environmental groups, SMC president and CEO Ramon Ang announced in March that the company would abandon the project.

Going ‘live’ again

But in May, Ang said SMC might still pursue the P81.53-billion project as it was only put on hold for further review and to take public opinion into account.

SMC notified the government the following month that it would comply with all the requirements to proceed with the project.

Carullo then reported that SMC had communicated to the TRB that it would seek an ECC for PAREx and that the project “as of now is a live project.”

Upon submission of the final engineering drawings, SMC would have to secure the ECC, along with other permits, such as a no-objection notice from the local governments to be affected by the project.

Only then can SMC seek a notice to proceed from the TRB.