(Photo Courtesy: Bagong Pilipinas)

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, January 17, led the inauguration of the showcase area in Manila of the ‘Pasig Bigyan Buhay Muli (PBBM)’ urban development project. 

The PBBM project unveiled an initial of the 25-kilometer pedestrian-friendly walkway consisting of an open space along the banks of Pasig River for the use of public. 

It essentially forms part of the national government’s transformative goal to revitalize Pasig River alongside its tributaries and surrounding communities while exploring economic and tourism opportunities that will improve the overall cultural landscape of the country. 

“We are here to consecrate ourselves to the mission of transforming Pasig River to what it is supposed to be: A living river of multiple benefits for the multitude, featuring safe walkways and bikeways along its banks, a green corridor that will serve as lungs our city needs, and a string of parks for communities nearby,” said President Marcos. 

More than building a promenade, the PBBM project aims to connect Metro Manila to nearby provinces through active mobility towards the further promotion of an environmentally-sound system of transportation. 

In particular, the initial 25-kilometer walkway that stretches behind the historic Manila Central Post Office building will feature commercial areas, green technology, and maritime highways by bolstering  public-private partnerships. 

This also includes the construction of jogging paths and protected bike lanes along the stretch traversing 11 cities in Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) ensured that the resettlement needs of informal settler families (ISFs) will be prioritized while the completion of the PBBM project is ongoing. 

“Mga kababayan, ang panimula ng pagbabago sa bahaging ito ng Ilog Pasig ay bahagi ng itinatatag nating Bagong Pilipinas.  May kaayusan at kalinisan, may kaginhawaan at kasaganahang paparating para sa lahat,” Marcos highlighted. 

(Translation: My fellow countrymen, the start of the transformative change here in this part of Pasig River is part of the Bagong Pilipinas we are earnestly pursuing. There is order, cleanliness, and quality of life that await us all)

The PBBM project is spearheaded by the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC- PRUD), chaired by DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar and co-chaired by Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairperson Atty. Don Artes. 

Related Article: 

IAC-PRUD launches ‘Pasig Bigyan Buhay Muli’ project

The said inter-agency council is created to restore the healthful ecology of Pasig River by virtue of Executive No. 35. (JMP/PIA-NCR)