President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. led the launch of Phase 4 of the Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli (PBBM) Project at Lawton Pasig River Ferry Station, Manila on Sunday, 19 October.
Joining the President at the inauguration were First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, whom he credited for the success of the project, Presidential Adviser for Pasig River Rehabilitation Jerry Acuzar, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Don Artes, and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno-Domagoso.
The Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli Project under the Marcos administration, aims to rehabilitate and revitalize the Pasig River. Seven months after the completion of Phase 3 at Plaza Mexico in Intramuros, the project has now moved forward to Phase 4, marking another milestone in the ongoing Pasig River Urban Development Project. The program was also recently recognized with the 2025 Asian Townscape Award by the United Nations for its sustainable urban design.
"This 530-meter stretch behind Manila Central Post Office, all the way to Arroceros Forest Park, is being reborn into a vibrant riverside space featuring walkways, bike lanes, and commercial areas," the President said.
Project manager Engineer Ken Camarao of the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Pasig River Rehabilitation also explained that this phase enhances accessibility across places in Manila.
“It is also important that different places in Manila are connected because of our new project. In our new Phase 4 of Esplanade, people can easily go to places like the Quiapo, which is one of the most popular places here in the Philippines. We can also see the Quiapo Church here, which is always crowded with people, so we expect that more people will go to the Pasig River Esplanade,” Camarao said. He also mentioned that people will be able to pass through Fort Santiago to Arroceros Park.
Meanwhile, President Marcos said that beyond infrastructure, the project will “link people, culture, and opportunity.” He mentioned that the Esplanade has already become well known on social media, marking its success, with current estimates showing that around 6,000 to 10,000 people visit the existing area. This number is expected to rise with the completion of Phase 4.
The new section of Esplanade is said to provide opportunities and commercial space for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), allowing them to have livelihood in the area, which will also boost visitors and tourism from people who want to try the different food, products, and services present at the Pasig River Esplanade.
The President also emphasized that the project serves as "yet more proof that when the national government, the private sector, LGUs, and the communities collaborate and work as one, great, game-changing things will happen."