P400-M rehabilitation of 3 QC waterways starts

MANILA, Philippines — The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) has begun the P400-million rehabilitation of three Quezon City waterways.

The rehabilitation of the San Francisco River, the Pasong Tamo Creek, and the Culiat Creek, which started on Wednesday last week, would lessen floods and transform the San Juan River tributaries into tourist attractions.

Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said the PRRC has assured city officials in an executive meeting that the rehabilitation of the three tributaries has started and would “have the most impact on flood mitigation.”

The “facelift” of the waterways will include the collection of solid wastes, dredging work, bank improvement, linear park and community development, as well as the claims on the three-meter legal easements.

According to Belmonte, the PRRC has earmarked P220 million for the rehabilitation of the San Francisco River Project; P74 million for the Pasong Tamo Creek; and P124 million for the Culiat Creek.

Each of the project, she added, could be finished within a nine-month period but could face delays.

“As reported in the executive committee, their (PRRC) main problems are encroachments of informal settler families and private properties,” Belmonte said.

She pointed out that the right-of-way would have to be negotiated with private property owners and questions on the three-meter easement along the banks should also be addressed.

The vice-mayor said that the PRRC expected tourists to visit the rehabilitated waterways because of linear parks that would be constructed as part of the sites’ facelift.

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