The much-anticipated Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli (PBBM) redevelopment project is on the cusp of completion, with Phase 3 of the Pasig River Esplanade set to officially open on Monday, 17 February.

The multi-dimensional, multi-phase undertaking has long been a priority for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, with the President even lending his initials to the initiative.

Aimed at transforming the long-polluted waterway into a dynamic hub for tourism, commerce, and sustainable transport, the rehabilitation of the historic waterway is at the center of the Marcos administration’s urban renewal strategy.

In July 2023, Marcos signed Executive Order 35, which formally established the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development, vesting it with the authority to develop and implement a comprehensive Pasig River Urban Development Plan.

The Council, chaired by Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, coordinates efforts to rehabilitate the Pasig River and surrounding communities — ensuring easements are upheld, informal settlers are humanely relocated, heritage sites are preserved, and sustainable economic opportunities are fostered.

“This project isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about reclaiming a national treasure and ensuring it serves the people,” President Marcos Jr. said during the project’s unveiling.

In January 2024, the government inaugurated the PBBM Project Showcase Area behind the Manila Central Post Office, marking a significant milestone in the redevelopment.

By June, authorities had extended the esplanade an additional 500 meters toward Plaza Mexico, effectively linking it to Intramuros.

The centerpiece of the expansion is a 100-meter view deck above newly opened commercial pop-up shops, which has rapidly become a popular destination for residents and tourists alike.

At night, the water fountains and Filipino-themed statues are highlighted by creative lighting, offering a vibrant and visually striking panorama along the river.

All hands on deck

As part of the redevelopment, informal settlers along the riverbanks were relocated by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, making way for this multi-agency urban renewal effort led by the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development.

The First Lady expressed her enthusiasm for the project, saying, “Let’s gather together, take a stroll, and fall in love with the Pasig River all over again.” She also praised the team’s efforts to bring the vision to life, describing the result as “truly beautiful.”

The government aims to position the Pasig River as a hub for tourism and recreation, drawing inspiration from famous rivers such as the Seine in Paris, the Thames in London, and the Chao Phraya in Bangkok.

The rehabilitation is set to enhance the river’s potential, offering a space for leisure, culture, and historical appreciation for both Filipinos and visitors.

Efforts to rehabilitate the Pasig River date back several decades, with multiple administrations attempting to restore the heavily polluted waterway to its former glory.

However, despite various programs and significant funding allocations, past initiatives have largely failed due to a combination of bureaucratic inefficiencies, inconsistent enforcement, and continued urbanization pressures.

One of the earliest modern attempts at rehabilitation came under the administration of President Fidel Ramos, who established the Pasig River Rehabilitation Program (PRRP) in the 1990s.

The program aimed to reduce pollution levels and relocate informal settlers along the riverbanks. The PRRP made some progress in waste management and environmental awareness, but was hampered by inadequate funding and enforcement challenges.

In 1999, President Joseph Estrada intensified the efforts through the establishment of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), which was tasked with coordinating cleanup and redevelopment activities.

The PRRC operated through multiple administrations, implementing programs such as waste reduction campaigns, dredging operations, and community relocations. However, the initiative struggled with inter-agency coordination issues and resistance from affected communities.

Then, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration placed emphasis on the relocation of informal settlers and introduced the River Warriors program, which engaged local volunteers in cleanup operations. Still, rapid urbanization and lax enforcement of environmental regulations limited the effectiveness of these efforts.

Funding hike

During the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, the PRRC saw an increase in funding and partnerships with private sector entities to rehabilitate certain sections of the river.

Notable projects included the Estero de Paco cleanup and the rehabilitation of tributaries feeding into the Pasig River. Nonetheless, these efforts were localized and failed to address the systemic pollution from industrial waste and illegal settlements along the river’s length.

Under President Rodrigo Duterte, the PRRC was abolished in 2019 through Executive Order 93, with its functions transferred to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

The decision was made in an attempt to streamline rehabilitation efforts, but critics argued that it created gaps in coordination and momentum.

Despite these past setbacks, the Marcos Jr. administration’s Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli project represents a renewed push to comprehensively transform the river.

By leveraging a coordinated, multi-agency approach and integrating urban planning, sustainable transport, and cultural preservation, the government aims to finally succeed where previous initiatives have fallen short.

The involvement of both the public and private sectors, alongside the establishment of the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development, is seen to mark a significant shift in strategy that could lead to a more sustainable and lasting rehabilitation of the historic waterway.