DHSUD chief says Pasig River rehabilitation to be finished by 2027

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Acuzar on Monday said that the Pasig River rehabilitation program will be completed in 2027, right before the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term.

According to Acuzar, the rehabilitation of the Pasig River from Manila Bay to Laguna De Bay will be done in three years, reinstating the area by placing stores below the pedestrian and bike lanes.

“In three years’ time, tapos iyan,” Acuzar declared in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon pre-Sona special.

READ: Bongbong Marcos wants fundamental makeover of Pasig River

However, Acuzar also said that the DHSUD has only so far completed 500 meters of the project’s 25-kilometer benchmark.

Meanwhile, when asked about the informal settlers in the area, the secretary mentioned that the President and First Lady had advised the department not to evict slum communities and instead provide them with housing.

“So, nagtatayo na po tayo dyan ng pabahay ngayon, siguro matatapos iyan in two years’ time, mayroon ng paglilipatan iyong mga squatters na tatamaan along Pasig river,” he added.

(So, we are building housing there now. They probably will be finished in two years’ time, and there will be a relocation for squatters who will be affected along the Pasig River.)

This program of the DHSUD stands behind President Marcos’ Executive Order No. 35, which tasks the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development to restore the Pasig River to its historically pristine condition conducive to transportation, recreation, and tourism.

Secretary Acuzar, the National Housing Authority, and several other departments are tasked with charging the program. Moss R. Laygo, INQUIRER.net trainee

READ: Can we ever rehabilitate the Pasig River?