President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s flagship Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli (PBBM) Project has been recognized by the United Nations (UN) as one of the recipients of the 2025 Asian Townscape Award for its contribution to sustainable and inclusive urban development.

The UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific informed the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD) of the recognition following jury deliberations held on 17 September in Japan. The award will be formally conferred on 27 November in Hong Kong.

The Asian Townscape Award honors cities and initiatives across Asia that exemplify excellence in urban design, environmental sustainability, and livability.

The PBBM Project, led by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) when it previously chaired IAC-PRUD, is now under the supervision of the Office of the Presidential Adviser for the Pasig River Urban Development, headed by Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar. The initiative also enjoys the strong support of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

The project aims to revitalize the Pasig River and its surrounding areas by transforming them into recreational, cultural, and commercial hubs, while enhancing transportation connectivity through bike lanes, jogging paths, and pocket commercial spaces along the river’s 26-kilometer stretch.

So far, a more than two-kilometer “Instagrammable” section — from behind the historic Manila Central Post Office to the riverside of Fort Santiago in Intramuros — has already been opened to the public. It has quickly become a must-visit destination for both local and foreign tourists.