I’m just wondering did President Benigno Aquino III really need to go out and visit that estero in Manila just so he can assess the situation of our country’s tributaries. I mean, doesn’t he already know that our creeks are among the filthiest in the world?
Well, whether or not that little inspection of his was just another media gimmick, I’ll give him credit for at least putting back the rehabilitation of Pasig River in the news.
According to the report over at GMAnews.TV, President Aquino already met with the Pasig River Rehabilitation Council — or is that Commission? — and was briefed on the river’s present status and what else needs to be done to bring it back to life.
I’m not sure if I misheard him, but I think President Aquino said something about reviving the river within his term is possible, based on the information given to him. Wow! I hope he got correct information to come out with such a pronouncement. It would really disappoint a lot of people including myself if this statement of his turns out to be just like those sweeping promises he made during the campaign season.
I guess the best thing that the president should do now that he has raised the expectations of those who want to see Pasig River in all its former glory is to provide some specifics in the coming days.
A few questions come to mind:
- Does the rehabilitation plan include the relocation of informal settlers living along the river?
- How about the factories and other industrial facilities operating and possibly dumping all sorts of waste materials into the river?
- Will they also be removed as proposed by some people?
- How exactly will the cleanup be done?
- What technologies will be used?
- How much will be spent?
- Who will shoulder the cost?
The last two questions are of course very important. Considering its money problems, the government may not have enough resources for this. But then again it’s President Aquino we’re talking about here. The Great Yellow Hope as described by some.
Consumer Karma of Philippine Consumer Reports thinks President Aquino has what it takes to gather private sector support for such a project.
We fully believe that if President Aquino is serious about cleaning up Pasig River, it will happen. He has the backing of a lot of people and I think all city governments — as well as corporations and private sector groups — will pull all stops to help him.
I hope this blogger’s assessment is correct.
Noynoy Aquino must remove the Squaters…all squaters.
They are the sources of pollution. Polluting the rives, the coastal oceans, etc… They block drainages and esteros. Causing floods. They are not supposed to be there. We are looking for results…
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I really do hope President Aquino follows through on this, and fast. Would be a huge disappointment if it’s just for show, like the various corporate sponsored “save Pasig River” events over the years with just the same results. We still have a dead Pasig River obviously. Pollution continues, and businesses that dump their wastes there are still doing it. They probably see many of their own products’ wrappers floating by their offices and factories along the river. Yet, business as usual.
The President has to go concrete on this one, and maybe this time there’ll be no more companies wasting our time making papogi like they actually help the situation when they don’t, know what I mean?
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Do you seriously think this administration will be able to revive Pasig River? Have you been living under a rock? Former President Fidel Ramos was a civil engineer and he failed to bring the river back to life. His successor, Joseph Estrada, was — well — never mind. And, how about Former President Gloria Arroyo? Nada.
What makes you think or rather hope President Benigno Aquino III has what it takes to reclaim Pasig River from those who have made it their backyard? I’m not only referring to the informal settlers who have made the banks of Pasig River their home and toilet. There are much bigger fish to fry. Of course I’m talking about the big companies that continue to operate their factories along the river.
I have a theory. These big companies and some of the squatters along Pasig River are in league with each other. Do a visual inspection and take note of the physical layout of the squatter colonies. You will notice that these colonies are usually in close proximity to these companies’ manufacturing plants, factories, and warehouses. It’s as if the shanties serve as buffer, a protective wall for those industrial facilities.
Believe you me, this administration will not succeed in rehabilitating Pasig River unless it develops serious political will. Rehabilitating the river requires lots of it. For how else should the government deal with the squatters and the local and multinational companies that continue to operate along the river and its tributaries.
Piecemeal solutions such as clean up operations done one estero at a time are not effective. It’s obvious more needs to be done all at once. Remove the source of the pollution you prevent further damage to the river.
Will the Aquino administration dare pursue this approach. No chance in hell. So stop this nonsense about Pasig River’s rehabilitation. Just accept the fact it’s dead.
Here’s an idea. Why don’t we just dump soil and cement into the river and turn it into reclaimed real estate?
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you have a point there. just want to clarify though that i’m not really expecting anything from the administration. If it does come up with something to surprise me in a pleasant way then that’s good.
i wonder though if there’s any merit to your suggestion about turning pasig river into reclaimed land.
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Does the rehabilitation plan include the relocation of informal settlers living along the river?
- yes, ABS CBN Foundation is in charge of this. A little doubtful though, since according to attendees of their fund raisers, their events are not organized, and it doesn’t mention its intentions to revive the river. What more about educating the informal settlers about relocation and the river’s state? Sad.
How about the factories and other industrial facilities operating and possibly dumping all sorts of waste materials into the river?
-not certain about this but waste management systems have been improved.
How exactly will the cleanup be done?
- really good question. After Typhoon Ketsana last year, they’re working on a 7 month dredging project to haul old waste, sunken cars, old tires, etc. The River has been deepened from 3 meters to 6 meters.
Who will shoulder the cost?
- this we need to keep an eye on. DANIDA has released funds, so has other donor agencies. There has been A LITTLE progress but I don’t think that’s the worth of the million dollars we have received.
Former President Fidel Ramos was a civil engineer and he failed to bring the river back to life. — very good point. Although the PRRC was established a year before Erap stepped in. Sayang!
Just accept the fact it’s dead. – water is still at C level I think, but there have been signs of life. To date there are 2 species of plants that can tolerate the water condition. Not certain about fish – I heard the Imelda fish is quite abundant during rainy season.
Why don’t we just dump soil and cement into the river and turn it into reclaimed real estate? – I think this will give us more threats for flooding since The Pasig has 4 major tributaries and 40+ minor tributaries
I’m writing a paper about socio-cultural perspectives on human interaction and the environment as well as management systems for the river. i kinda took the opportunity of sharing my thoughts here to sharpen whatever i have to write hehe
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Pouring dirt and concrete into the Pasig River to turn it into reclamation land will definitely add to the flooding of Manila, worsening it to the nth degree.
Cleaning it and restoring it thus to its original condition, that is the way to go.
But the people in the government are just an inert, incompetent, corrupt, and useless and even harmful lot.
Still, even a corrupt and useless even harmful government is better than no government whatever.
Pancake
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